Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 8 Nov 2001

Vol. 543 No. 4

Written Answers. - Gaeltacht Commission.

Dick Spring

Question:

21 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands her views on the call made at the annual meeting of Foram na Gaeltachta for the establishment of one local government authority with responsibility for all Gaeltacht districts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27155/01]

Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Ms Coughlan)

The Government established An Coimisiún faoin Ghaeilge sa Ghaeltacht in April 2000 to make recommendations with regard to the strengthening of the Irish language as the everyday language of the people of the Gaeltacht.

The commission, having carried out a lengthy consultative process, is at present preparing its report and recommendations. I expect that the report will be available for submission to Government by the end of the year, at the earliest, or by early in the new year. I have been given to understand that the commission has addressed the matter of a local government authority with responsibility for all Gaeltacht districts. For this reason I do not want to comment further on this issue, pending receipt of the commission's report and its submission to Government.