Seán Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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Question 94: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress made to date by Foras na Gaeilge in regard to the short term strategic priorities for the preservation and promotion of the Irish language within the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30713/05]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 129: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress made by Fóram na Gaeilge regarding the preparation of the 20-year strategic plan for the Irish language; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30711/05]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 94 and 129 together on the understanding that they both relate to the work of Fóram na Gaeilge.

Fóram na Gaeilge, which includes representatives of relevant State and voluntary organisations with expertise on a wide range of language policy and practice issues, was established to advise me in relation to: the advisability of preparing a 20-year strategic plan with realistic goals for the Irish language in the State; the short term strategic priorities for the preservation and the promotion of the Irish language within the State; the priorities regarding the implementation of the Official Languages Act; and the best and most practical ways to achieve progress with regard to the implementation of that work.

As the Deputies are aware, I asked members of the Fóram to submit their views in relation to the development of an Irish language plan and related short-term priority issues. Work on these matters is continuing.

The matter of the advisability of a 20-year strategic plan for the Irish language has been among the issues which have been considered in general terms by the Fóram in its deliberations thus far. The need for the provision of a clear statement on the part of the Government in relation to the Irish language and its importance as a whole has emerged as a key issue in this context and I hope to be in a position to elaborate on this issue further in the near future.