Vol. 744 No. 1
39 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the date on which negotiations between him and turf cutters is scheduled to take place; the substance of these negotiations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29906/11]
Further to Ireland's obligations under EU law to protect rare and threatened natural habitats, it is clear that further turf cutting and conservation of Ireland's 53 raised bog special areas of conservation, SACs, are incompatible. Earlier this year, the Government announced a compensation package for those affected by the cessation of turf cutting in these 53 raised bog SACs. The package offers qualifying turf cutters the option of a financial payment of €1,000 per year, index linked, for a period of 15 years or, where feasible, their relocation to a non-designated bog where they can continue to cut turf.
In April, the independently chaired Peatlands Council was established, comprising representatives of turf cutting interest groups, environmental groups, Bord na Móna and my Department. The remit of the council includes an opportunity to review the compensation arrangements, to make proposals and to provide advice to me. As part of its contribution, one of the turf cutting representative groups, the IFA, proposed that the State would provide a delivery of turf to those who must stop turf cutting as an alternative to a financial payment. My Department is now making arrangements to include this as an element of the compensation arrangements. The council has also proposed an approach that would focus on the long-term energy requirements of affected turf cutters, and this proposal is also being explored.
In terms of relocation, following lengthy discussions between affected turf cutters, Bord na Móna and my Department, agreement has been reached on the terms and conditions for relocation from the first of the 53 raised bogs to an alternative undesignated bog, where the turf cutters involved will be cutting in 2012. This relocation can now be used as a template for other groups who wish to continue cutting on alternative bogs.
The Peatlands Council has shown that it can be a vehicle to deliver results and a credible forum where the interests of turf cutters can be represented and accommodated. While one group — the Turf Cutters and Contractors Association — has withdrawn from the Peatlands Council, it had been working, with the assistance of my Department, to explore relocation sites for the 53 SACs. I would still welcome any proposals which the Turf Cutters and Contractors Association wishes to propose to the Peatlands Council and my Department in this regard.
Additional information not given on the floor of the House
It is also intended that the Peatlands Council will be the vehicle for the drawing up of a peatlands strategy, which my Department is undertaking, and where longer-term issues regarding the future use of Ireland's peatlands will be set out. Interested parties can make their views known by writing directly to the Peatlands Council or by having their views directed to it through one of the representative groups sitting on the council.
I thank the Minister for his reply. We on this side of the House believe the Government must immediately bring forward proposals for a long-term solution to compensate turf cutters, which is an issue of particular concern in the midlands and further west. The Peatlands Council is somewhat disappointed that the Minister went ahead and signed this agreement without full consultation with the council. The council had proposed a compromise whereby 80% of the 53 SAC bogs would not be cut. This whole problem stems back to 1997 when the then Minister, Mr. Michael D. Higgins, signed the habitats directive and the derogation was put in place for ten years.
The Minister's reply referred to 53 locations. How close are we to having alternative locations provided for the turf cutters? What, if any, negotiations have taken place with the Turf Cutters and Contractors Association to try to get it back to the Peatlands Council? The association is one of the main representative bodies and should partake in the Peatlands Council. The Minister referred to the delivery of turf as a proposal by the IFA. How many other strands of the Peatlands Council welcome this as a suitable alternative?
The instrument to which the Deputy refers has nothing to do with the closure of bogs and has been in force for the past four years. As the Deputy knows, we were ruled against in the court, which stated we had not done enough to put in place the birds directive. That instrument went out for consultation last summer and the Turf Cutters and Contractors Association did not respond to it. It has nothing to do with the closure of 53 bogs, which we are told must happen.
I want to make this point very clear as it has been mentioned as one of the reasons the Turf Cutters and Contractors Association has withdrawn. The association has stated the reason it withdrew from the last meeting was a statement made by Deputy Hogan. It was not because of the instrument I recently signed that I had no option but to sign. It was there and had been completed by the time I came into office. It had gone out for consultation but the aforementioned organisation did not respond. I make that point clear today.
As for the overall process, I remind the Deputy the previous Government made a Cabinet decision in May 2010 that these 53 bogs would be closed that year but they were not. Last year, many of them were closed and I understand that cutting only took place on six bogs——
Thank you, Minister.
——but it now is clear there will be no turf-cutting next year. It is important to note that I wish to continue to work with the Peatlands Council and to continue to engage with the Turf Cutters and Contractors Association, which has come up with some good proposals on relocation. I was in Galway recently when the association's representative made a presentation to Galway County Council at which he suggested they had achieved solutions to approximately 78% of the problem. This is very good and any help I can give to the Turf Cutters and Contractors Association and any time I can speak to it, I certainly will because the association obviously will be highly important in the eventual solution. I wish to make one point.
We are way over time.
I acknowledge the Turf Cutters and Contractors Association's contribution to this debate thus far.
May I ask a supplementary question?
Sorry, we are one minute over the seven minutes for that question.
40 D’fhiafraigh Peadar Tóibín den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cad atá ag tarlú leis an Straitéis Fiche Bliain; cén dul chun cinn atá déanta maidir le cur i bhfeidhm na straitéise; cén maoiniú atá curtha ar leataobh le haghaidh na straitéise; agus an bhfuil sé i gceist an straitéis a chur i bhfeidhm go hiomlán [30082/11]
Mar thoradh ar chinntí polasaí faoin straitéis 20 bliain don Ghaeilge a thóg an Rialtas ar 31 Bealtaine 2011, tá na cinn don mBille Gaeltachta a thabharfaidh feidhm do na cinntí seo, de réir mar is cuí, dréachtaithe ag mo Roinn. Táthar ag súil na dréacht chinn a chur faoi bhráid an Rialtais go luath sa chaoi is go bhfoilseofar an Bille Gaeltachta in 2012, i gcomhréir le clár reachtaíochta an Rialtais.
Tá aonad straitéise bunaithe i mo Roinn atá freagrach as pleanáil agus feidhmiú na straitéise a threorú. Tá plean forfheidhmithe trí bliana mo Roinn maidir le cur i bhfeidhm na straitéise á ullmhú san am i láthair. Os rud é go bhfuil iliomad páirtithe leasmhara luaite faoin straitéis 20 bliain, tá sé i gceist ag mo Roinn dul i ndáil chomhairle leis na príomhpháirtithe leasmhara maidir leis an bplean forfheidhmithe sa chaoi is go mbeifear in ann é a fhoilsiú go luath.
Tá trí ghrúpa oibre ardleibhéil bunaithe ag an aonad straitéise i mo Roinn chun dlús a chur le forfheidhmiú na straitéise: grúpa oibre idir oifigigh i mo Roinn agus an Roinn Oideachais agus Scileanna, atá ag díriú ar chur i bhfeidhm na straitéise i réimse gnímh an oideachais, ag tógáil san áireamh na laincisí ar acmhainní i láthair na huaire; grúpa oibre idir oifigigh i mo Roinn, in Údarás na Gaeltachta agus i bhForas na Gaeilge, atá dírithe ar idirdhealú a dhéanamh idir na feidhmeanna ar leith atá á gcomhlíonadh ag na heagraíochtaí sin sa chaoi is gur féidir a chinntiú go mbeidh cur chuige éifeachtach ann agus go mbeidh an luach is fearr ar airgead ag an Státchiste; agus grúpa oibre idir oifigigh i mo Roinn, sa Roinn Caiteachais Phoiblí agus Athchóirithe agus sa Roinn Post, Fiontar agus Nuálaíochta, atá dírithe ar na bealaí is éifeachtaí chun infheistíocht fiontraíochta a chinntiú don Ghaeltacht.
Is mar thoradh ar an athbhreithniú cuimsitheach caiteachais atá ar siúl faoi stiúir na Roinne Caiteachais Phoiblí agus Athchóirithe ar chaiteachas an Stáit agus i gcomhthéacs an phróisis meastachán a dhéanfar cinntí sonracha maidir leis an soláthar a bheidh ar fáil i ndáil le cur i bhfeidhm na Straitéise in 2012.
Mar a dúirt mé cheana agus mar a dúirt saineolaithe freisin, níl ach 15 bliain fágtha don Ghaeilge mar theanga an phobail sa Ghaeltacht ag an bomaite seo. Sin an fáth go mbeidh béim mhór ar an straitéis 20 bliain as seo amach. Ba mhaith linn anois rudaí inláimhsithe a fheiceáil ón Rialtas. Ceapann an tAire Stáit go bhfuil na coistí ag feidmiú faoi láthair agus is rud mhaith í sin. An bhfuair An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta cuireadh ón Rialtas freastal ar aon cheann de na coistí sin ar chor ar bith? Labhair an tAire Stáit faoin bplean forfheidhmithe atá cruthaithe ag an ionad straitéise. Cathain a foilseoidh an Rialtas an plean forfheidhmithe? An bhfoilseofar i mbliana é?
Tuigimid ulig an phráinn atá leis an gceist seo. Sin an fáth gur borraíodh an straitéis 20 bliain, gur fáiltíodh roimpi agus gur thugamar go léir tacaíocht dó. Chuir páirtithe ar gach taobh den Teach agus an chomhchoiste fáilte roimpi. Mar a dúirt an Teachta Tóibín, tá an t-am gairid. Níl ach idir 15 agus 20 bliain fágtha againn, mar adúirt an staidéar teangeolaíochta. Sin an fáth go bhfuil an Rialtas ag cur an-bhéim ar an straitéis agus go bhfuil coiste ath-bhunaithe ag an Rialtas, faoi cheannas agus faoi chathaoirleacht an Taoisigh féin, a raibh dhá chruinniú aige ó bunaíodh é agus gur gairid go mbeidh cruinniú eile againn.
Maidir leis na fo-choistí idir oifigigh mo Roinne agus na Roinne Oideachais agus Scileanna, chomh fada agus is eol dom beidh siad ag teagmháil leis na páirtithe leasmhara go léir. Is é mo thuairim féin go bhfuil tuairimí, barúlacha agus eolas ag an gComhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta, COGG, a rachas chun socair go mór do cibé plean a dtiocfaimid aníos leis ins an Roinn Oideachais agus Scileanna. Tá mé cinnte, muna bhfuil sé déanta cheana féin ag an Roinn sin, go ndéanfaidh siad é sin gan mhoill.
Bheinn ag súil go dtabharfadh an coiste atá idir mo Roinn agus an Roinn Oideachais agus Scileanna éisteacht do gach eagraíocht atá ag plé le hoideachas trí Ghaeilge, mar go bhfuil saineolas acu ar na deacrachtaí, buntáistí agus dúshláin atá ansin. Tá súil le Dia agam, murar tharla sé go dtí seo, go dtarlóidh sé sin gan mhoill.
Níl a fhios agam an raibh an tríú cheist ag an Teachta nó nach raibh.
Chuir mé ceist mar gheall ar an bplean forfhedhimithe atá ag an ionad stráitéise. Cathain a mbeidh sé foilsithe?
Chomh fada agus is eol dom, táthar ag obair de ló agus d'oíche, agus gach Roinn páirteach leis an Roinn Caiteachas Phoiblí agus Athchóirithe. Bíonn siad ag dó ola an mheánoíche ar na pleananna. Maidir le cad é atá i gceist, níl sé ar eolas agam féin agus ní shílim go bhfuil sé ar eolas ag an Aire in aice liom, ach sílim go mbeidh sé á chur ar fáil gan mhoill. Táimid i mí Dheireadh Fómhair anois. Muna mbíonn sé ar fáil an mhí seo táim cinnte go mbeidh sé ar fáil go luath an mhí seo chugainn. Deirim é sin agus tá mé ag tabhairt tuairim réasúnta. Ní shílim go bhfuil dáta ar bith socraithe go fóill, chomh fada agus is eol dom.
Tá an-chuid oibre déanta. Fiú amháin i rith an tsamhraidh nuair a bhí an chuid eile againn ar ár laethanta saoire, bhí siad ag obair air seo. Tá sé an-tábhachtach go dtiocfaidís aníos leis na cinntí cearta, ní ar mhaithe leis an Ghaeilge ach ar mhaithe le heacnamaíocht agus geilleagair na hÉireann.
Tá súil agam nach bhfuil ola an mheánoíche ró-dhaor ag an mbomaite. Ar aon nós, níl aon pháirt lárnach ag na grúpaí pobail sa straitéis 20 bliain. An mbeidh seans ag na heagraíochtaí pobail a bheith páirteach sna coistí atá bunaithe ag an Rialtas?
Sílim go mbeimid ag tabhairt aird ar na heagraíochtaí atá ag gníomhú ar son na Gaeilge ins an bpobal. Tá an t-eolas ar ghréasán na Roinne i láthair na huaire. Beidh seastán ag an Oireachtas, a bheidh ar siúl i gCill Áirne ag tús na míosa seo chugainn, maidir le straitéis na Gaeilge. Táthar ag teagmháil agus tá cuireadh tugtha do h-eagraíochtaí a gcuid tuairimí a chur isteach.
Caithfidh an straitéis a bheith i gceart. Seo an seans deiridh. Caithfimid aird a thabhairt ar thuairimí luachmhara agus ar thuairimí gur fiú aird a thabhairt orthu. Ní thig linn dearmad a dhéanamh de aon tuairimí deimhnithe a thagann isteach.
41 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if there are financial or physical resource responses required for any of the initiatives within his remit that were identified at the Global Irish Economic Forum; the resources that might be forthcoming and the source or sources of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30044/11]
At the second Global Irish Economic Forum, organised by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Dublin Castle on 7 and 8 October, there was a continuing focus on the key role of arts and culture as Ireland's global calling card, building on the strategic recognition at the first forum at Farmleigh in 2009 that for a small country we have arguably the largest global cultural reach and presence of any nation. There was broad agreement that the success of the forum will be measured by practical implementation and delivery, and in that respect there was wide acknowledgement that the cultural field had already delivered a number of key initiatives since the first forum, including the new position of cultural ambassador and the roll-out of Imagine Ireland, Culture Ireland's strategic promotion of Irish arts in the United States throughout this year.
A range of proposals for new cultural initiatives was discussed at the forum, and many received a very positive response. There was a broad sense that the momentum generated by Imagine Ireland this year in the US needs to be consolidated, while at the same time planning a strategic programme of cultural engagement with Europe in the context of our forthcoming Presidency of the EU Council of Ministers in 2013. Another frequent theme was the importance of building a sustained engagement with Asia, and in particular China, over the medium to long term.
My suggestion to designate St. Patrick's Day as a day of Irish culture at home and abroad generated much interest. The proposal to organise a world actors' forum in Dublin along the lines of a "cultural Davos" was strongly welcomed, as was the idea to convene a conference on strengthening philanthropic partnerships between business and the arts. There was also an emphasis on the value and impact of enhancing digital access to Ireland's cultural heritage, including the holdings of the national cultural institutions and the 1926 census.
I hope to take forward these ideas, which I believe have the potential to deliver strong strategic benefits for the country, working with my Government colleagues and building on the great sense of energy and commitment demonstrated by the members of the Global Irish Network who attended the forum. Many of these initiatives clearly have a resource implication, and I will be taking that into consideration in discussions with my Government colleagues as part of the budget process. In this regard, I understand that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is preparing a report on the outcome of the forum, which I anticipate will be considered by the Government shortly.
Essentially I wanted to find out whether there are resource implications to this, and whether there will be an opportunity to use them if we are making commitments. This is the second forum and one of the surprising aspects to the first forum was how strongly arts and heritage featured. When stimulating something like the tourism sector, there seems to be a greater focus on tangible results, such as VAT reductions or an increase in the number of bed nights, over and above the things that are the reason people come here.
Would the Minister agree that we cannot keep having these fora if there is to be no outturn from them? We could waste a lot of goodwill if we do not deliver something tangible as a consequence of the forum itself.
I agree with the Deputy. Following the first Farmleigh meeting, we created the post of cultural ambassador to America, and I would like to recognise the work that Gabriel Byrne is doing on behalf of this country in America. He is certainly making a major impact. Imagine Ireland has also had a major impact in America. For example, over 1,200 artists have participated in the programme this year, with 500 events in 40 states. Over half a million people saw live performances of traditional Irish music. Druid Theatre toured America with The Cripple of Inishmaan, leveraged about €1.2 million from an investment of €200,000 and made a major impact across the country. Imagine Ireland and the cultural ambassador have been two very effective initiatives.
Another successful initiative has been the heritage certificate. It was presented by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to one of the families affected by the terrorist attacks on 11 September 2001. Former President Clinton was also presented with a heritage certificate at Dublin Castle. This has encouraged major interest from America. Fexco, which has the contract to roll out the heritage certificate, has employed between 50 and 60 people to do that job. These are very tangible results. I totally agree with the Deputy that unless there are tangible results and unless we can show something for the efforts of these people, then obviously they will get frustrated.
There is a proposal in the programme for Government to examine the possibility of a second cultural night. I will be answering a question on that shortly. Rather than having a second cultural night, we could have a culture day or culture week and we could build this around St. Patrick's Day, when we get huge attention across the world. We should look seriously at promoting Irish culture through the celebration of St. Patrick's Day, given that it is the focus of attention all over the world.
Is the report to which the Minister referred likely to be available before the budget? Is it likely to influence the allocation of additional funding in the Department if there are aspects which require funding?
I certainly hope it will be available because it will be used in deciding how resources are to be spent. Resources are and will be available, but it is a question of priorities. The attention the St. Patrick's Day celebrations attract for the country across the world was the subject of much positive reaction in Dublin Castle. Without making a total commitment, I will be pushing the idea with the Government to see what we can do. It may be on a small scale next year with the idea continuing in subsequent years when we can provide more funding.
42 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans to establish a panel of experts and interested parties to open up our embassies, consulates and ambassadors’ residences across the world for Culture Night 2012 to make it a global event; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29907/11]
Discussions are ongoing on the most appropriate way to build on the success and popularity of Culture Night. One of the commitments in the programme for the Government is to expand the Culture Night concept and I have already set the wheels in motion in this regard. One idea under consideration as a way of achieving this objective is the designation of the week of St Patrick's Day as international week of Irish culture to build on the solid foundations already in place. The primary aim of this objective would be to showcase to the world the rich and varied Irish cultural heritage and promote Ireland as a destination for cultural tourists.
The existing Culture Night model already has an international element. Temple Bar Cultural Trust which is responsible for organising Culture Night has been taking steps in recent years to connect Culture Night with the Irish Diaspora through the network of Irish cultural centres and institutions overseas. Since 2010 Culture Night has been celebrated at the Irish Arts Centre in New York, the Leuven Institute for Ireland in Europe and the office of the Northern Ireland Executive in Brussels. Temple Bar Cultural Trust is also in discussions with Barcelona and Berlin, among others, to extend this network.
I have asked officials of my Department to consider practical ways by which we advance the concept of an international week of Irish culture both here at home and abroad. As part of such an initiative, I am ready to explore with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the potential for and possibility of hosting events in suitable Irish embassy and consulate premises across the world, taking into account the existing demands of the week of St. Patrick's Day and the extensive promotion of Irish culture which already takes place during that period. Any proposals made must, of course, have regard to the resources available to my Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, as well as to the many competing demands on these resources.
It is welcome that the Minister is considering taking this idea on board. We have spoken before in previous Dáil question about expanding Culture Night. At the time I outlined my reservations in having St. Patrick's Day designated as a second day of culture. We should use Culture Night in September to complement the St. Patrick's Day celebrations. We received positive worldwide coverage on 17 March. In September, therefore, we should use Culture Night as an expanded cultural event. Culture Night started off in Dublin and was later extended the length and breadth of the country. We should now establish a panel of experts to consider the opening of our embassies throughout the world, including the Far East and Africa. We receive great tourist numbers from America, England and elsewhere in Europe, but we need to expand further afield. We should, therefore, look to the Far East, India and China to attract additional visitor numbers. We all know cultural visitors spend more than regular tourists and tend to stay longer. It is welcome that the Minister is seeking to expand the initiative. Can we have more concrete confirmation that a panel will consider doing as I suggest in September 2012 to coincide with Culture Night?
It can certainly be explored. As I said, it is already happening. This year we included Belfast and Derry and the initiative was very successful. It should be possible to extend Culture Night all over the world, where appropriate. We can consider this and I will certainly suggest it.
Culture Night was very successful this year. Over 200,000 people took part at 30 locations nationwide. It has been a real success. I recognise the work of Temple Bar Cultural Trust in initiating the project and bringing it to its current position. Approximately 1,500 people visited the Oireachtas on Culture Night this year and I happened to be present. There was a great atmosphere and people were delighted to be able to visit the Oireachtas.
I accept the Deputy's point that Culture Night has been successful here. It was proved that it could be successful in Belfast and Derry also and has been rolled out in other parts of the world. There is a distinct possibility that it will be rolled out further. Wherever embassies and consulates can help in rolling it out, they should do so.
Do we have confirmation that the Minister will engage with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to consider extending the concept to our embassies and consulates throughout the world?
Absolutely. I mentioned this in my reply. There are two possibilities: expanding Culture Night and having a culture week or culture day connected with St. Patrick's Day. Both are under very active consideration because of the success of Culture Night. It is an obvious initiative on which to expand.
43 D’fhiafraigh Peadar Tóibín den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén dearcadh atá aige ar an tSamhail Nua Mhaoinithe don todhchaí agus d’eagrais dheonacha na Gaeilge. [30173/11]
Mar thoradh ar athbhreithniú seachtrach ar na heagraíochtaí a fhaigheann bunmhaoiniú ó Fhoras na Gaeilge, d'aontaigh an Chomhairle Aireachta Thuaidh Theas gur chóir an cur chuige bunmhaoinithe a athrú chun cur chuige níos sruthlínithe agus níos cost-éifeachtaí a chur i bhfeidhm. Dá bhrí sin, tá sé i gceist go mbeidh Foras na Gaeilge ag athrú ó mhúnla bunmhaoinithe don 19 n-eagraíocht atá i gceist go múnla iomaíoch, bunaithe ar scéimeanna faoina ndéanfar tosaíochtaí straitéiseacha éagsúla a sheachadadh.
Ag cruinniú den Chomhairle Aireachta Thuaidh Theas ar 12 Deireadh Fómhair, nótáladh an dul chun cinn atá déanta ag Foras na Gaeilge go dtí seo i ndáil le punann dréacht-scéimeanna a ullmhú don tsamhail mhaoinithe iomaíoch nua, a bhfuil sé mar sprioc aici tairbhí suntasacha luach ar airgead a bhaint amach agus dualgais reachtúla Fhoras na Gaeilge a chomhlíonadh go héifeachtach.
Iarradh ar Fhoras na Gaeilge roinnt céimeanna a thógáil chun an próiseas athbhreithnithe a thabhairt chun cinn, eadhon:
tréimhse bhreise chomhairliúcháin 12 seachtain a chur ar fáil i ndáil le punann na ndréacht-scéimeanna, go háirithe leis na heagraíochtaí bunmhaoinithe;
a chinntiú go dtabharfar deis do chomhlachtaí reachtúla bainteacha an tionchar a bheidh ag na dréacht-scéimeanna ar a réimsí feidhmiúcháin a bhreithniú;
an punann dréacht-scéimeanna a leasú de réir mar is gá agus mar is cuí, ag féachaint don phróiseas comhairliúcháin leathnaithe;
cás gnó mionsonraithe a ullmhú, le cúnamh neamhspleách más gá, chun tacú le punann na ndréacht-scéimeanna;
plean tionscadail athbhreithnithe a ullmhú, i gcomhar leis na Ranna Urraíochta, a thabharfaidh aird mar is cuí ar chur i gcrích an phróisis athbhreithnithe mar bheart práinne; agus
tuarascáil eile ar an dul chun cinn a sholáthar don chéad chruinniú eile den Chomhairle Aireachta Thuaidh Theas i mí Feabhra seo chugainn.
I bhfianaise na gcinntí sin, tuigfidh an Teachta nach mbeadh sé cuí domsa a bheith ag tabhairt mo bhreithiúnais ag an phointe seo maidir leis an samhail mhaoinithe nua i láthair na huaire.
Le linn na seachtaine, d'fhreastal mé féin, an Seanadóir Ó Clochartaigh agus Teachtaí Dála ó Shinn Féin ar chruinniú leis na heagraíochtaí atá ag obair ar son na Gaeilge trasna na tíre. Tá siad go léir i gcoinne an tsamhail nua mhaoinithe. Dar leo, déanfadh sé an-damáiste don infreastruchtúr atá ann. Ceapann siad go ndéanfadh sé neamhaird den taithí, eolas agus infreastruchtúr atá ag gach eagraíocht. Creideann siad go mbeadh deireadh le deich gcinn, b'fhéidir, de na heagraíochtaí atá ag obair ar son na Gaeilge ag an bomaite. Dúirt duine amháin liom go bhfuil comparáid idir an méid atá á dhéanamh agus cad a tharlódh dá mbeadh an Roinn spóirt ag iarraidh struchtúr nua a ghearradh ar Chumann Lúthchleas Gael nó an FAI, ionas go mbeadh orthu dul in iomaíocht le haghaidh airgid ón Rialtas. Níl ócáidí ar nós Seachtain na Gaeilge luaite sa samhail nua mhaoinithe. An bhfuil an tAire Stáit sásta níos mó tacaíochta a thabhairt do na heagraíochtaí atá ag feidhmiú ag an mbomaite? Tá eagla orthu nach mbeidh aon todhchaí ann dóibh.
Mar a thuigeann an Teachta, téann an socrú nó an cinneadh chun dul ar aghaidh leis an athbhreithniú seo siar go dtí 2008 agus, go speisialta, go dtí 2009. Tá sé mar chúram ag Foras na Gaeilge, mar eagraíocht tras-Teorann, é sin a thabhairt chun cinn. Tá baint agam leis na heagraíochtaí bunmhaoinithe agus na heagraíochtaí deonacha le blianta fada. Tá 19 dóibh ag gníomhú i ngort na Gaeilge sa tír seo. Tá 12 dóibh sa Phoblacht agus seacht gcinn ó Thuaidh. Is cinnte go bhfuil obair iontach agus thorthúil á dhéanamh acu. Ní cheart dúinn neamhaird a dhéanamh den saineolas atá acu. Ag an am céanna, tá cinneadh déanta ag an gComhaireacht Thuaidh-Theas dul ar aghaidh leis an athbhreithniú seo. Cuireadh suim nach beag — €7.6 milliún — ar fáil do na heagraíochtaí seo i 2010. Táimid ag súil go mbeidh an toradh is fearr le fáil ar an gcaiteachas sin. Tuigim go bhfuil imní ar na heagraíochtaí. Tá cuid acu, ar nós Conradh na Gaeilge, ag feidhmiú le 100 bliain. Bhí cuid acu ag obair sular tháinig muid ar an saol. Tuigim go bhfuil imní orthu. Is é sin an fáth, tar éis na haighneachtaí atá déanta acu leis an Roinn agus le Teachtaí éagsúla le tamall anuas, go bhfuilimid i ndiadh tréimhse breise a thabhairt don phróiseas chomhairliúcháin. Rinneamar é sin sa dóigh go mbeidh deis againn éisteacht chúramach a thabhairt don imní atá anseo. Ba mhaith linn gníomhú dá réir, más féidir.
Iarraim ar an Aire Stáit stop a chur leis an chóras seo. Scriosfaidh an tsamhail nua mhaoinithe an t-eolas agus an taithí atá ag na heagraíochtaí seo. De réir an chonradh nua, ní bheidh ach trí bliana ann le haghaidh gach eagraíocht nua. Ba chóir go mbeadh leanúnachas ann. Tá an tréimhse trí bliana sa chonradh nua i bhfad ró-ghairid. An ndéanfaidh an tAire Stáit athrú ar an rud sin freisin?
Is dócha go mbeidh sé sin uilig á scrúdú sna trí mhí amach romhainn. D'iarr an Teachta orm an t-athbhreithniú a scrios. Níl sé ar mo chumas mar Aire Stáit sa Roinn seo deireadh a chur leis. Tá cinneadh déanta ag na hAirí a chuaigh romham. Tá cinneadh déanta ag an gComhaireacht Thuaidh-Theas. Is é sin an fáth gur pléadh é ag an gcruinniú deiridh. Tá súil againn go mbeidh deis againn na moltaí a thiocfaidh ón athbhreithniú seo a chíoradh agus a phlé ag an gcéad chruinniú eile i mí Feabhra seo chugainn.
