Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 307: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when the annual reports and accounts of the North-South language body in respect of the years 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9703/09]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 156 of 5 March 2009. As I indicated in that reply, the 2005 accounts for the North/South Language Body, An Foras Teanga, have been consolidated and it is hoped that these can be published later this year, subject to joint sign-off by the Comptrollers & Auditors General in both jurisdictions. This will pave the way for consolidation of the subsequent accounts in chronological order.

The current position is that draft annual reports and accounts for 2006 and 2007 have been furnished by both agencies of the North-South Language Body and draft 2008 annual reports and accounts are due for submission by end-March 2009.

I should also reiterate that at the most recent meeting of the North/South Ministerial Council in Language Sector Format on 16 January 2009, the Chief Executives of the two agencies assured both Minister Campbell and I that finalisation of all outstanding annual reports and accounts continues to be given the utmost priority. Both Minister Campbell and myself also acknowledged the inherent complexities in compiling, auditing and consolidating these annual reports and accounts and the efforts of both agencies to progress this work.