Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 386: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will outline the mechanisms in place to ensure adequate representation on Udaras na Gaeltachta for the offshore islands in view of the new Gaeltacht Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34782/12]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, the Gaeltacht Bill 2012 is before the House at present.

The Bill provides, inter alia, for changes to the size, composition and method of appointment to the board of Údarás na Gaeltachta. These changes include dispensing with elections to the board and a reduction in the size of the board from 20 to 12 members. In accordance with the provisions of the Bill, 7 members, including the chairperson, are to be appointed by the Minister, with the remaining 5 members to be nominated by relevant county councils. It may be expected that nominees from councils that include offshore Gaeltacht islands in their jurisdictions will be representative of the Gaeltacht in its entirety, including the islands.