Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 50: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the discussions he has had with the Department of Foreign Affairs in regard to the use of the Irish language as an official working language of the European Union; the number of official meetings he has had in regard to the Gaeltacht and the Irish language in each of the past three months; the business in each case; the number of meetings he has had with the Taoiseach in regard to the Irish language since the Taoiseach assumed office; the decisions made arising from these meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24974/08]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Irish language has had the status of an official and working language of the European Union since 1 January 2007. In this context, my Department is in frequent dialogue with the Department of Foreign Affairs and other relevant parties to increase the supply of qualified personnel — for example qualified translators and interpreters — available to the EU institutions to service the requirements of the Irish language.

As the Deputy will appreciate, given that responsibility for the Irish language and the Gaeltacht is central to my Ministerial remit, I have numerous meetings on a daily basis with a wide range of interested parties and I do not consider it would be warranted to detail all such meetings for a three month period in the context of a reply to a Question in the House. I also meet regularly with the Taoiseach and my Ministerial colleagues to discuss the Irish language and other issues that relate to the exercise of my functions as Minister. Decisions made at Government level and at other meetings are announced in the normal way as they arise and as appropriate.