Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North-West, Fianna Fail)
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269. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No.149 of 9 April 2025, the timeline for addressing the outstanding issues highlighted in the reply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21985/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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It is expected that a resolution to the legislative complexities that exist between the Local Government Acts and Official Languages Act may require primary legislation to resolve. The matter will be considered further by my Department in consultation with the relevant officials from the Gaeltacht division, which is currently part of a transfer of functions to the Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD). There are a number of policy decisions that will have to be finalised between both Departments, and considered by Government, particularly in relation to the role of the Council and the role of the Minister with responsibility for the Official Languages Act and the Placenames Commission.

My Department will be prioritising work around the establishment of a Local Democracy Taskforce and supporting is operation in the months ahead, with a view to that Taskforce concluding its deliberations by the end of the year. It could be expected that there may be legislative change to the Local Government Acts arising from its work which will be progressed in 2026. Work will continue with DRCD on the resolution of the placenames issue, with a view to agreeing revised policy and identification of any required legislative change. This is a complex matter to which careful consideration will have to be given.