Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Question 39: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he is satisfied regarding the implementation to date of the Official Languages Act 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31289/06]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 46: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of language schemes approved by him under the Official Languages Act 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31288/06]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 39 and 46 together.

As I have outlined on a number of occasions in this House, considerable progress has been made to date in the implementation, on a phased basis, of the provisions of the Official Languages Act 2003.

A total of 35 schemes prepared by public bodies, including that of my own Department, have now been confirmed by me and published. All of the 35 schemes are available on the website of An Coimisinéir Teanga, www.coimisineir.ie. In addition, my Department is in discussion with in excess of 60 additional public bodies in relation to completion of the process of drafting a scheme.

All provisions of the Act are now in operation. Oifig Choimisinéir na dTeangacha Oifigiúla has been established. In April of this year, I made Regulations that updated the list of public bodies covered under the Act. I have made 10 Placenames Orders to date including An tOrdú Logainmneacha (Ceantair Ghaeltachta) 2004. I have this week published and laid before each House of the Oireachtas a draft of regulations that I propose to make pursuant to section 9(1) of the Act. The draft regulations deal with the use of the Irish and English languages in pre-recorded oral announcements, on stationery and on signage by public bodies.

At my request, Foras na Gaeilge has developed an accreditation system for Irish language translators. I understand that the first panel of accredited translators has been established and is available to public bodies and the general public.

Having regard to the achievements I have just outlined, I am fully satisfied with the progress made to date in the implementation of the Act. I am also satisfied that the public bodies are able to fulfil their obligations under the Act and that they have accepted the challenge with a positive attitude and in the proper spirit. I should remind Deputies that each language scheme prepared by the public bodies under section 11 of the Act has been drawn up in the context of the resources — both in terms of finances and personnel — currently available or to be made available to bodies during the lifetime of each scheme. As I have stated from the beginning, while it will not be possible to achieve everything overnight, my main objective is that improvements in the range and quality of services available through Irish will be achieved over the lifetime of a number of schemes, subject to demand.