Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 238: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the progress made in regard to the commitment given in the Programme for Government to build on recent planning laws by setting up a national monitoring committee to oversee the clear and consistent implementation of the protections for the unique linguistic identity of the Gaeltacht. [18871/08]

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 239: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the progress made in regard to the commitment given in the Programme for Government to examine Section 10 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 that requires local authorities to prioritise the promotion and development of Irish when considering future development schemes. [18872/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 238 and 239 together.

Section 10(2)(m) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 requires a development plan to include objectives for the protection of the linguistic and cultural heritage of the Gaeltacht, including the promotion of Irish as the community language, where there is a Gaeltacht area in the area of the development plan.

Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Development Plans were issued by my Department in June 2007 to assist planning authorities in the preparation and implementation of development plans. Appendix C to these guidelines sets out, inter alia, further considerations for planning authorities in the preparation of development plans in Gaeltacht areas such as demographic, economic and cultural factors, as well as particular facilities appropriate to Gaeltacht areas and the administrative and management structures that might be required. These guidelines were issued under section 28 of the Act, which requires planning authorities to have regard to them in the performance of their functions. The Guidelines are available on my Department's website at www.environ.ie. The provisions of the Act and the statutory guidelines provide a strong legal underpinning of Gaeltachta and the Irish language in planning law.

I am also a member of the Cabinet Committee on Irish and the Gaeltacht which held its first meeting on 10 April 2008. I will work with my colleagues to ensure that the Committee's programme of work is advanced, including the implementation of any necessary actions in the area of planning, to protect our linguistic and cultural heritage.