Thomas Gould (Cork North-Central, Sinn Fein)
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562. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government for an update on legislative amendments to allow for the renaming of streets. [38876/25]

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 Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht. 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 recently-established Local Democracy Taskforce and supporting is operation in the months ahead, with a view to that Taskforce concluding its deliberations within the next 6-9 months. 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 the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht 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.