Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 55: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the measures he proposes to include in the Údarás na Gaeltachta Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19018/10]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the recently published draft 20-year Strategy for Irish was referred to the Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Sports, Tourism and Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and remains under consideration by it. I look forward to receiving the results of the Committee's deliberations in due course. Following consideration of the Committee's views, I will be re-submitting the draft Strategy to Government for final approval.

The Deputy will appreciate that any changes regarding the future powers and functions of Údarás na Gaeltachta will fall to be considered in the context of the Strategy. Accordingly, it would be premature of me at this stage to predict the contents of any proposed legislation arising from this process.

For the sake of completeness, I should add that I am examining the case at present for bringing a Bill before the House shortly with a view to extending the term of office of the currently elected members of Údarás na Gaeltachta. The last Údarás elections were held on 2 April 2005 and, in order to comply with the provisions of the existing legislation, the next elections must be held on a date between 1 April 2009 and 1 October 2010. Due to the ongoing work in relation to the draft 20-year Strategy for Irish and the possible implications for the functions of an tÚdarás, the Deputy will appreciate that it would be unrealistic to proceed at this point with setting a date for the next elections.