Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 89: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will keep the Office of the Irish Language Commissioner independent based in the Gaeltacht and its status and power not be reduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28897/12]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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As I have indicated in replies to previous Questions on this matter, a decision was taken as part of the Government's Public Service Reform Plan that the functions of the Office of An Coimisinéir Teanga are to be merged with those of the Office of the Ombudsman and that the matter is to be progressed in the context of the review of the Official Languages Act 2003, which is currently being undertaken by my Department. The Reform Plan also has implications for other public bodies which come within the ambit of my Department.

Since the rationalisation and amalgamation of these various bodies raises complex issues, a Reform Committee has been established within my Department to deal with these matters. This committee is also liaising with the relevant bodies, including the Office of An Coimisinéir Teanga, in order to advance the effective implementation of the Government's decision. I anticipate that a report will be brought to Government shortly on progress made in relation to this process.