Pearse Doherty
Question:61Deputy Pearse Doherty den an Aire Ealaíon; Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cé mhéad uair a bhí cruinniú den Chomhchoiste Idir-Rannach ar Dhul chun Chinn na Straitéise Fiche Bliain don Ghaeilge ann in 2012. [12560/12]
Other Questions
Straitéis 20 Bliain
Martin Ferris
Question:81Deputy Martin Ferris den an Aire Ealaíon; Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cé mhéad uair a bhí cruinniú den Chomhchoiste Idir-Rannach ar Dhul chun Chinn na Straitéise Fiche Bliain don Ghaeilge ann in 2012. [12566/12]
Tógfaidh mé Ceisteanna Uimhir 61 agus 81 le chéile.
Bhí dhá chruinniú ag an Choiste Rialtais ar an nGaeilge agus ar an nGaeltacht go dtí seo, ceann ar 14 Aibreáin 2011 agus ceann eile ar an 19 Bealtaine 2011, ón uair gur athbhunaíodh é faoi chathaoirleacht an Taoisigh. Leagadh clár oibre sonrach amach de thoradh na gcruinnithe sin agus tá mo Roinnse ag feidhmiú dá réir ó shin. Céim shuntasach amháin atá bainte amach sa chomhthéacs sin ná go bhfuil na cinn do Bhille Gaeltachta nua glanta anois ag an Rialtas agus go bhfuil an próiseas idir lámha chun an reachtaíocht úr a dhréachtú chomh luath agus is féidir.
Tá sé i gceist go mbeidh cruinniú eile den Choiste Rialtais go luath agus, chuige sin, tá socruithe idir lámha chun cruinniú a reachtáil laistigh de sheachtain nó dhó den ghrúpa oifigeach sinsearach a thugann tacaíocht don Choiste Rialtais agus a dhéanann an réamh-ullmhúchán dá chuid cruinnithe.
Cupla seachtain ó shin dúirt an t-Aire go raibh sé mar a bhéadh lacha, ag obair go dian fo-thoinn. Dúirt sé go raibh sé ag déanamh a lán oibre as radharc agus gur cheart go mbéadh muinín againn as, mar go mbéadh gach rud ceart go leor ag an deireadh.
Tá daoine an-bhuartha mar gheall ar an Ghaeilge. Mar is eol don Aire tá an Ghaeilge ag laghdú mar theanga bheomhar labhartha ins na Gaeltachtaí. De réir na saineolaithe, níl ach 15 bliain, b'fhéidir, fágtha aici.
Nuair a fheiceann daoine nár tháinig an coiste le chéile ach dhá uair an bhliain seo chaite ní haon iontas nach bhfuil muinín acu as an Roinn maidir leis an tábhacht a leagtar an an nGaeilge sa Roinn. Tá sé do-chreidte nach bhfuil an comhchoiste iomlán ag bualadh le chéile i bhfad níos minicí ná mar atá chun plean a chur le chéile agus chun gníomhachtaí a chur i bhfeidhm.
Cé mhéad uair a tháinig an coiste le chéile, faoi chathaoirleacht an Taoisigh, i mbliana? Cad iad táirgeachtaí na gcruinnithe sin? Níl an coiste sásta miontuairiscí na gcruinnithe a fhoilsiú. Tá sé do-chreidte nach bhfuil an coiste ag teacht le chéile ach dhá uair in aghaidh na bliana.
Ní shílim go bhfuil traidisiún nó nós ann, nó go bhfuil sé fiú amháin dleathach, go ndéantar miontuairiscí de Choistí Rialtais a fhoilsiú. Ní shílim go dtarlaíonn sé sin.
Bhí dhá chruinniú an-thábhachtacha ag an choiste Rialtais nuair a tháinig an Rialtas isteach in Oifig. Bhí siad an-thábhachtach mar gur leagadh síos ag an chomhchoiste sin an obair a bhéadh ar siúl ag an Roinn maidir leis an Ghaeilge agus le cur chun cinn na straitéise ins na míosa amach romhainn. Tá dul chun cinn mór déanta ó tugadh treoir dúinn.
Dálta an scéil, b'fhéidir nach raibh ach dhá chruinniú foirmeálta ann ach is féidir liom a rá go raibh cruinniú an-thábhachtach agam féin tá cupla seachtain ó shin leis an Aire, an Teachta Deenihan, le hArd Rúnaí na Ranna agus leis an Taoiseach féin in oifig an Taoisigh, nuair a tugadh cuntas dó ar an dul chun atá déanta ó tugadh treoracha dúinn. Is é an toradh atá ar sin ná go bhfuil an Rialtas anois tar éis glacadh le Bille Gaeltachta, go bhfuil sé ag an Dréachtóir Parlaiminte i láthair na huaire agus go mbeidh sé ag teacht isteach anseo san am nach bhfuil i bhfad romhainn. Rud stairiúil ar fad é sin. An uair dheireannach a bhí Bille Gaeltachta ins an Teach seo, b'fhéidir nach raibh an Teachta Tóibín ar an tsaol. Ní raibh mé féin ró-shean ach an oiread. An bhliain 1956 a bhí ann. Don chéad uair ó 1956, tá Bille Gaeltachta ag teacht isteach atá chun aghaidh a thabhairt ar na deacrachtaí atá an Teachta Tóibín tar éis a luadh agus, dálta an scéil, an bhfuil aitheantas tugtha ag an suirbhé teangeolaíochta dóibh agus a thuigim féin, mar dhuine as an nGaeltacht. Sin an fáth go bhfuilimíd ag tabhairt tosaíochta don reachtaíocht seo thar aon reachtaíocht eile, beagnach. Táthar ag obair air i láthair na huaire.
Maidir leis an chéad chruinniú eile den Choiste Rialtais, beidh sé ann gan mhoill. Tá na hard oifigigh ag déanamh a gcuid oibre, mar adúirt mé ins an fhreagra. Tá na hard oifigigh ag teacht le chéile ar dtúis agus ansin beidh an coiste féin ag teacht le chéile arís. Tá an obair ag dul ar aghaidh, lá i ndiaidh lae.
An bhfuil sé le tuiscint agam nár bhuail an comhchoiste iomlán fós i mbliana? Tá an lacha ag dul go han-mhall ag an bhomaite, nach bhfuil?
B'fhéidir nár bhuail an comhchoiste le chéile ach ní hionann sin agus a rá nach bhfuil an obair ag dul ar aghaidh
Níl suíochán ag an nGaeltachta sa Chomh-aireacht faoi láthair. Fadhb mhór í sin maidir le cúrsaí Gaeltachta.
Tá an t-Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta, an Teachta Deenihan, ina shuí im aice. Tá suíochán aige sa Chomh-aireacht. Tá mise anseo mar Aire Stáit a bhfuil cúram na Gaeltacht air. Tá ár gcuid oifigí in aice a chéile ar an urlár chéanna agus bímid ag plé na gcúrsaí seo lá in ndiaidh lae, fiú amháin maidin inniu.
Agus tá suim mhór ag an Taoiseach ins an teanga.
Ach ní bhualann an coiste ach dhá uair sa bhliain agus níor tháinig sé le chéile fiú amháin uair amháin in mbliana. Tá sin do-chreidte.
An dá uair sin rinneadh amach clár oibre-----
Dhá uair.
-----agus táimíd ag cloí leis an chlár oibre. Cén mhaith a bheith ag bualadh nuair atáimíd ag dul ar aghaidh leis an chlár oibre? Beimid ag bualadh arís nuair a bheidh an clár oibre críochnaithe agus is dóiche go mbeimid ag fáil chlár oibre eile.
An féidir an clár oibre a fhoilsiú?
Is é an príomh rud anois ná an straitéis agus an Bille Gaeltachta. Nuair a bheidh sé sin déanta rachaimíd ar aghaidh le tuilleadh oibre, ach sin an príomh rud i láthair na huaire.
Tá naoi areas for action sa straitéis. Tá an Rialtas in Oifig le bliain anois. Céard atá bainte amach ag an Rialtas mar gheall ar na areas for action?
Tá Bille ag teacht os comhair an Tí, don chéad uair le 50 bliain. Tá an Teachta Kitt anseo níos faide ná mise agus ní fhaca sé Bille Gaeltachta ariamh. B'fheidir, beannacht Dé leis, go bhfaca athair an Teachta Bille Gaeltachta. Ní fhaca éinne eile sa Teach seo Bille Gaeltachta. Is rud stairiúil é seo. Don dara huair ó bunaíodh an Stát tá Bille Gaeltachta ag teacht isteach ins an Teach seo a dhíreoidh isteach ar an Ghaeilge sa Ghaeltacht, ar an Ghaeilge taobh amuigh den Ghaeltacht, ar Údarás na Gaeltachta agus ar Fhoras na Gaeilge agus beidh an t-iomlán faoi scrúdú againn. Tá géarghá le sin. Táimid ag obair an-chrua ar seo. Mar a dúirt mé, thug an Taoiseach treoir dúinn ar sin. Dála an scéil, sular tháinig mé isteach anseo, bhí mé cúpla nóiméad mall agus bhí an tAire ag freagairt na ceiste. An bhfuil a fhios ag an Teachta cén áit a raibh mise? Ní rún ar bith é. Bhí mé istigh leis an Taoiseach ag caint ar an Ghaeilge. Chuaigh an Taoiseach amach agus thug sé preas agallamh maidir le Seachtain na Gaeilge. Bhí mise le dul leis, ach bhí an díospóireacht agus an caint chomh fada sin nach raibh am agam dul leis agus b'éigean dom teacht isteach anseo, ach dúirt an Taoiseach gur thuig sé go raibh orm a bheith anseo. Bhí mise ag plé na Gaeilge leis an Taoiseach sula dtáinig mé isteach anseo, fad atá na Teachtaí ar an taobh sin ag fiafraí an bhfuil aon rud ag dul ar aghaidh. Cop on.
Tá an lacha an mall.
Seachtain na Gaeilge
62. D'fhiafraigh anTeachta Jonathan O’Brien den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil sé de sprioc aige Seachtain na Gaeilge a mhéadú go Mí na Gaeilge; cad atá eagraithe aige le haghaidh Sheachtain na Gaeilge taobh amuigh de Theach Laighean. [12565/12]
Is féile idirnáisiúnta í Seachtain na Gaeilge a reáchtáiltear i mí an Mhárta gach bliain agus a chuireann úsáid na Gaeilge agus an cultúr Gaelach chun cinn, anseo in Éirinn agus - tá áthas orm a rá - thar lear. Tá an fhéile, atá eagraithe ag Conradh an Gaeilge, ag ceiliúradh 110 bliain ar an bhfód i mbliana agus beidh na céadta imeachtaí á reáchtáil ar fud na cruinne ón 5–17 Márta 2012. Is cúis áthais dom gur sheol An Taoiseach, an Teachta Enda Kenny, Seachtain na Gaeilge i dTeach Laighean inniu, agus mar a dúirt mé, bheinn ansin ag an seoladh ach go dtáinig mé isteach anseo fá choinne freagra a thabhairt ar bhur gcuid ceisteanna. Tá tuilleadh eolais ar na himeachtaí go léir atá ar siúl le fáil ar shuíomh www.snag.ie.
Is léir go bhfuil fás agus forbairt tagtha ar Sheachtain na Gaeilge bliain i ndiaidh bliana. Go deimhin, is féile choicíse seachas féile sheachtaine a reáchtáiltear anois. Mar Aire Stáit do Ghnóthaí Gaeltachta, bheinn sásta breathnú ar aon mholadh maidir le fad a chur le Seachtain na Gaeilge agus Mí na Gaeilge a dhéanamh de. Níl gach eolas agamsa agus nílim ag labhairt ex cathedra mar an phápa, ach tá mé sásta éisteacht le moltaí fiúntacha a thagann ó aon duine maidir le cur le nó feabhas a chur ar Seachtain na Gaeilge. Ach ar a laghad, tá sé ag dul ar aghaidh le 110 bliain. Is comhartha é sin gur fiú leanúint ar aghaidh leis.
Ceapaim go bhfuil muintir na Gaeltachta agus na Gaeilge tuirseach, traochta, caite amach, spíonta ó bheith ag tabhairt moltaí don Rialtas, ach nílim cinnte go bhfuil an Rialtas ag éisteacht. Tá formhór muintir na tíre seo an-báúil do agus an-dearfach faoin Ghaeilge. Mar shampla, tá 25% de thuistí na tíre ag éileamh gaelscolaíochta dá bpáistí, de réir taighde atá déanta ag Foras na Gaeilge. Fós, áfach, níl ach 5% ag fáil gaelscolaíochta. Caithfear seo a chur i gcodarsnacht le tíortha cosúil le tír na mBascach ina bhfuil 65% ag fáil scolaíochta lán-Bhascach, nó an Bhreatain Bheag, ina bhfuil níos mó ná 23% ag fáil scolaíochta lán-Bhreatnais. Tá Éire i bhfad taobh thiar tíortha eile maidir le rudaí a cruthú a shásaíonn an t-éileamh atá ann. I mo thuairim, is sórt bac é an Rialtas ar ghluaiseacht na Gaeilge.
Tá a lán oibre iontach mhaith déanta Conradh na Gaeilge agus eagraíochtaí eile maidir le Seachtain na Gaeilge agus is iontach an rud é go bhfuil coicís na Gaeilge ann. Ba mhaith liomsa dá dtabharfadh an Rialtas i bhfad níos mó cúnaimh don togra sin agus dá mbeadh sé sásta Mí na Gaeilge a fhorbairt agus níos mó Gaeilge a fhorbairt i dTeach Laighin. Ba cheart go mbeadh daoine in ann cláir ríomhaireachta Gaeilge a fháil agus go mbeadh siad in ann níos mó oibre a dhéanamh sna comhchoistí trí Gaeilge.
Aontaím leis an Teachta - ní dóigh liom go bhfuil cúis imris eadrainn ar chor ar bith - gur cóir go mbeadh níos mó Gaeilge le cloisint. Beidh Gaeilge sa Teach le linn Seachtain na Gaeilge. Aontaím gur cóir go mbeadh muid ag plé ábhar eile seachas Seachtain na Gaeilge agus an Ghaeltacht trí mheán na Gaeilge. Níl aon leithscéal againn. Tá an trealamh comhfhuaimneach anseo. Más féidir agus más mian le duine ar bith labhairt i nGaeilge agus muna dtuigeann duine anseo iad, tá an trealamh anseo fá choinne aistriúcháin a dhéanamh. Aontaím ar fad gur chóir go mbeadh níos mó Gaeilge anseo, ach sílim - tá mise anseo le breis agus 30 bliain - go bhfuil feabhas ar rudaí i láthair na huaire. Ní ró-mhinic a chloistear go bhfuil an Taoiseach, an Tánaiste agus ceannairí na bpáirtithe ag déanamh Riar na hOibre ar maidin agus Ceisteanna trí Ghaeilge. Sin dul chun cinn agus tá an pobal amuigh ag éisteacht trí na meáin. Aontaím le sin ar fad. Is féidir linn feabhas a chur ar rudaí agus tá moltaí go leor ann. Tá muid sásta é sin a dhéanamh agus níl muid chun aon bhac a chur ar éinne Gaeilge a labhairt.
Aontaím leis an Teachta faoi Chonradh na Gaeilge. An chéad rud eile atá le déanamh agam tráthnóna inniu ná dul chuig Conradh na Gaeilge agus Seachtain na Gaeilge 2012 a láinseáil go hoifigiúil ansin. Glacaim le sin mar onóir agus mar phléisiúr agus mar phribhléid.
Turbary Rights
Niall Collins
Question:63Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht the average amount of compensation paid to each turfcutter who has applied to the compensation scheme; the uptake in the scheme as a percentage of the total qualified to partake in it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12529/12]
Micheál Martin
Question:64Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht when he expects the review of bogs in national heritage areas to be complete; if he will work to ensure turfcutters in those areas will not face a ban on cutting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12541/12]
Timmy Dooley
Question:68Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he has considered an extension to the compensation scheme for turfcutters; the percentage uptake in the scheme following the recent closing date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12532/12]
Denis Naughten
Question:80Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans to address the ongoing issues regarding the implementation of the ban on turf cutting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12193/12]
Brian Stanley
Question:83Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which he has resolved issues relating to turf cutting restrictions arising form special areas of conservation and or other conservation orders; the number of cases outstanding; the issues still to be addressed; the locations so affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12477/12]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:86Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which he has had dialogue with the interested parties affected by the ban on turf cutting arising from special area of conservation measures or other conservation measures; the degree to which agreement has been reached with a view to achieving amicable and satisfactory conclusion on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12504/12]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:307Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht the total number of displaced turf cutters arising from conservation measures with whom his Department has made contact in the context of resolution of outstanding issues; the number of cases satisfactorily resolved to date; the number outstanding; the nature of the issues still to be resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12816/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 63, 64, 68, 80, 83, 86 and 307 together.
In 2011 the Government announced a compensation scheme for those affected by the cessation of turf cutting on raised bog special areas of conservation, SACs. The cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme comprises a payment of €1,000 per year, index linked, for 15 years or, where feasible, relocation of turf cutters to non-designated bogs where they can continue to cut turf. Those wishing to relocate can avail of the financial payment or the delivery of cut turf while relocation sites are identified and prepared. The cost of acquiring and preparing relocation sites will be met by the State. The Government has recently considered whether the financial package announced in 2011 should be enhanced. I will make an announcement to the House in this regard during Private Members' business later today.
In April 2011 my Department wrote to known owners of land and rights in the SACs nominated for designation between 1997 and 1999 to inform them of the cessation of turf cutting on these sites and to invite applications for compensation. Advertisements were also placed in local and national newspapers. It is estimated that 750 individual turf plots are active on these SACs. To date, almost 650 applications for compensation or relocation have been received relating to these sites.
Assessment and verification of applications is a complex process, particularly in respect of proof of ownership. My officials have been working closely with turf cutters, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, as successor of the Land Commission, Bord na Móna and the Property Registration Authority to assist people to provide the necessary proof of legal interest with their applications. While a number of payments have been made under the scheme, the complexity of ensuring adherence to the qualification criteria has caused delays in making payments. However, my Department has recently put in place arrangements to speed up and simplify the checking process and expects to make by the end of this month a significant number of initial payments to additional applicants for sites nominated for designation between 1997 and 1999.
In December my Department wrote to known owners of land and rights in the SACs nominated for designation in 2002. Advertisements were also placed in local and national newspapers. It is estimated that there are approximately 790 actively cut plots on these sites. The deadline for the receipt of applications relating to these sites was the end of February 2012. Owing to the high number of applications received in recent days, the details of the numbers received are not readily available. To allow potential applicants time to gather the necessary legal documents, I have decided to extend the deadline for the receipt of applications for sites nominated for designation in 2002 until 30 April 2012.
The Government has been conscious of the need to build a shared understanding of the requirements of the habitats directive regarding the protection of raised bog SACs. To this end, it established the peatlands council under an independent chairman, Mr. Conor Skehan, to bring all parties together. Last week, on his initiative, a peatlands forum was convened in Athlone under the chairmanship of Mr. Justice John Quirke. It provided an opportunity for all parties to identify and discuss what was needed to resolve issues arising from Ireland's requirements to implement the habitats directive on 53 raised bog special areas of conservation. The forum considered proposals in regard to relocation and other solutions to address the requirements of the directive. Its report, prepared by Mr. Justice Quirke, was presented to me and considered by the Government this morning. My Department will publish the report on its website this afternoon and, once people have had an opportunity to consider it, I propose to respond more fully to it during Private Members' business.
My Department has been in discussion regarding relocation with several groups of turf cutters from different bogs with a view to reaching satisfactory resolutions at local level. Agreement has been concluded with groups from Clara bog in County Offaly and Mountbellew in County Galway. These solutions involve turf cutters moving to nearby Bord na Móna bogs where they will be able to continue turf cutting.
The position on continued cutting on natural heritage areas, NHAs, will be reviewed in accordance with the programme for Government. This will be done in the context of drawing up a national peatlands strategy which is being undertaken by my Department in conjunction with the peatlands council. I have undertaken that such a review will be completed in advance of the 2014 cutting season. The review will provide clarity on the future of turf cutting on these sites. The issues regarding turf cutting on Ireland's raised bog special areas of conservation will be discussed in greater detail later and tomorrow during Private Members' business and I look forward to contributing to that debate.
Turf cutting is an emotive issue. It is part of our heritage and culture and the tradition has been passed on through the generations. The issue is topical because it will be the subject of a Private Members' motion later and the original deadline for the receipt of applications for compensation passed last week. However, I welcome the extension of the deadline because many potential applicants did not have time to get the necessary information together. For example, turf cutters on a bog in County Longford were not aware that the previous deadline had been set for 29 February.
It appears the Government parties have changed their position somewhat on this issue since their time in opposition. I acknowledge the previous Government introduced SACs and the ten year derogation. The Minister stated there were 750 active turf plots on the SACs designated between 1997 and 1999 and that 650 applications had been made for compensation. What percentage of the applicants have been accommodated through relocation to an alternative bog? What percentage have been adequately compensated? I understand all those approved for compensation have been not paid. I am involved in a few cases. The peatlands forum initiative undertaken last week by the peatlands council was most welcome. Are the Minister and the Department still liaising with the Turf Cutters and Contractors Association?
I acknowledge that the Deputy has always been positive and supportive of what we are all trying to do to resolve this matter, which would be in all our interests, as the last thing we want to do is to pay fines of between €20,000 and €25,000 per day to the European Commission. I do not have to remind Members that formal notice was sent to the Department in January 2011 followed by a reasoned opinion in June 2011. Therefore, the Commission is interested in what is happening here. However, there have been positive developments. For the first time, the TCCA, the Department and the Commission are working together to try to find a solution.
I would like to acknowledge - I will do this again this evening - the efforts made by so many people to obtain a resolution to this sensitive and difficult subject. As a rural dweller who lives in the heart of a number of bogs as well as near one of the designated bogs, I am very much aware of how sensitive this issue is and how important it is for so many people to have it resolved in such a way that the environment is protected but people can continue to cut turf legally. That is important.
I have been trying my best to facilitate payments as much as possible, but we have developed a new system of payment. To date, just 63 applicants have been paid the amount that applied last year, but 200 people will be paid next week. I hope payments will go out in the next few weeks. We had to establish a system of verification to ensure the documentation was proper and so on, but that system is now in place and I hope payments will go out faster. As the Deputies know, the verification systems that have been established this year will last for the next 15 years. Once people have their documentation verified, that will be sufficient for the years ahead.
I welcome the Minister's comments and the motion that has been tabled today. I have not seen Mr. Justice Quirke's report, but I acknowledge, and I think the Minister acknowledges, that for the first time ever the Government of the day has publicly admitted that there was a lack of proper consultation, communication and trust between the State and turf cutters throughout the country. That in itself is a significant step forward.
Will the Minister clarify that we are talking about here is approximately 5% of designated bogs and that for the other 95%, there is absolutely no dispute relating to them? We are talking about a very small percentage of bogs.
Is the Minister aware that for the majority of turf cutters, this is not an issue of compensation but of a sensible resolution being provided to turf cutters to facilitate them to continue to cut turf on their existing bogs or adjoining non-designated bogs? In light of that, could the Minister clarify whether the Government is considering allowing the co-existence of domestic turf cutting on designated bogs as a mitigating measure in a limited number of cases? Has the Government considered the issue of compensatory habitat? At the end of this process, more than 100% of designated bog will be closed off to turf cutting for good.
I thank Deputy Naughten for his contribution. Roscommon is particularly affected by this issue, and I know from my experience of visiting that county that it is a very emotive subject there. Along with Deputies Naughten and Flanagan and the chairman of the Turf Cutters and Contractors Association, Mick Fitzmaurice, I travelled over that area in a helicopter last year and was given a bird's eye view of what was happening on the ground as well as an idea of the extent of raised bogs in Galway and Roscommon.
The de-designation of small areas around the country will be a matter for the Commission. The Government cannot de-designate. This is mentioned in Deputy Flanagan's motion which will be moved this evening, and is also mentioned in the amendment. I will go into more detail later. Obviously, we could go back to the Commission with any proposal, but we want to exhaust every other alternative first.
The Deputy mentioned that for the first time ever there has been real engagement. The Government, and the country, are fortunate that Conor Skehan has taken over as chairman of the Peatlands Council. I acknowledge here that he has given ten months of his life to this issue, free to the State, which is a considerable contribution. I hope for his sake that because of these deliberations and the amount of work he has put in, we can obtain a resolution.
I thank the Minister for his answer. With regard to the proposals from the TCCA, which include a detailed case-by-case analysis of the possible options, will the Minister commit to providing individual turf cutters with a hearing on this matter? If so, in what timeframe does he envisage this occurring? We are all conscious that time is of the essence and other alternatives may suit some people better then relocation or compensation.
As the Deputy knows, an elaborate process was carried out last week in which representatives for each bog put their case to the judge and a technical group tried to obtain a resolution. I do not think this process has ever been carried out before. I recognise that people entered this process with total intent to obtain a resolution, and they were very honest, open and frank about the whole thing. There was a real sense that people engaged because they wanted to achieve a solution.
With regard to individual turf cutters, in the small number of bogs where it may be difficult to resolve this issue, all considerations will have to be taken into account, including those of individuals. Our policy from the beginning was to listen to everybody and I know that is what Mr. Skehan did. Officials from my Department and the National Parks and Wildlife Service have spent the winter out there speaking and listening to people and trying to obtain solutions. I hope this effort will now pay off and we will get the desired results, for all our sakes.
As has been said, the issue is not about financial compensation but about the right to continue cutting turf. However, for those who do wish to take compensation, could the Minister confirm there is funding for this purpose? I agree with him that there have been some resolutions, including in Mountbellew, but I could mention other bogs in Galway - Camderry, Kilkerrin, and Barroughter in south-east Galway - where, according to the people who live there, there is nowhere else to go to cut turf. That brings us back to the idea of de-designation of bogs. Is that possible where people want to cut turf but have no alternative?
There is a sizeable sum of money - €5 million - available. The Government considers it important that we resolve this, and people will have to be compensated. I have been making this point quite clearly. That is why I will be announcing an enhanced package this evening. Expecting people to move from areas in which they have cut for generations to alternative bogs is a lot to ask, and they must be properly compensated.
In the Deputy's own constituency, because of the leadership of a former Deputy of this House, Paul Connaughton, a positive resolution was obtained, and work has already started, with machinery on the bog and drainage being carried out. The examples of Clara and Mountbellew show that this can work when people work together.
Can something be done to facilitate people who do not own a bog but have had informal rights to turf-cutting in terms of obtaining access to adjoining bogs? Second, is it not the case that without Conor Skehan and Mr. Justice Quirke, this issue would not have been resolved to the extent it has, and that if this had been done ten years ago, we would not be in the mess we are in today?
Will the Department advertise the extension to the scheme in order that people would be aware of it? Although it is not all about compensation, for those who wish to be compensated financially as opposed to being relocated, speed is of the essence and more people might have taken it if there had been greater speed. What progress has been made with the natural heritage areas, NHAs, to ensure they will be exempt in the future because we support the Minister's endeavours in that regard?
In response to Deputy Naughten, the judge in his conclusion mentioned that ownership of bogs is a complex area so we will take a sympathetic view of those who have established rights in bogs. Many bogs were never registered and people have been cutting on them for generations and that could be the fault of a solicitor who never bothered to do it. I agree with the Deputy that if this process had happened ten years ago we would not have incurred the wrath of the Commission and would be in a much better position where we would not be discussing this. In reply to Deputy Troy, we will publicise the extension.
Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga
Brendan Smith
Question:65Deputy Brendan Smith den an Aire Ealaíon; Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an ndéanfaidh sé a chinneadh maidir le hOifig an Choimisinéara Teanga a chónascadh le hOifig an Ombudsman a chur ar ceal; má léiríonn an pobal go bhfuil siad ag iarraidh go mbeadh Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga ina hoifig reachtúil neamhspleách sna haighneachtaí agus sna suirbhéanna atá curtha acu faoi bhráid a Roinne mar chuid den athbhreithniú ar Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla, 2003 agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [12555/12]
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:95Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den an Aire Ealaíon; Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil sé chun a chinneadh ar an gCoimisinéir Teanga a athrú. [12567/12]
Tógfaidh mé Ceisteanna Uimh. 65 agus 95 le chéile.
Mar is eol do na Teachtaí, d'fhógair an Rialtas ar an 17 Samhain 2011 go raibh cinneadh tógtha feidhmeanna Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga a chónascadh le hOifig an Ombudsman agus go raibh an cinneadh sin le cur i gcrích i gcomhthéacs an athbhreithnithe ar Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003, atá ar siúl ag mo Roinnse faoi láthair. Tógadh an cinneadh sin mar chuid de phlean athchóirithe an Rialtais don tseirbhís phoiblí. Faoin bplean sin, tá sé beartaithe ag an Rialtas go ndéanfar cuíchóiriú ar 48 comhlacht poiblí faoi dheireadh na bliana 2012 agus go ndéanfar athbhreithniú criticiúil ar 46 comhlacht poiblí eile faoi mhí an Mheithimh 2012.
Glactar leis, ar ndóigh, go dtagann saincheisteanna chun cinn do na heagraíochtaí éagsúla atá i gceist de thoradh na gcinntí seo. Tá coiste athchóirithe bunaithe ag mo Roinnse chun scrúdú a dhéanamh ar na saincheisteanna ábhartha a bhaineann leis na heagraíochtaí ar leith a thagann faoi scáth mo Roinnse. Tá an coiste ag plé go gníomhach leis na heagraíochtaí éagsúla atá i gceist, lena n-áirítear Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga, le gur féidir cinntí an Rialtais a chur i bhfeidhm ar bhealach éifeachtach agus éifeachtúil.
Maidir le hOifig an Choimisinéara Teanga, ní miste dom a rá go dteastóidh leasú reachtaíochta chun an cónascadh a chur i bhfeidhm.
An mbeidh aon airgead le sábháil de bharr an chinnidh seo, Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga a chónascadh le hOifig an Ombudsman? An aontaíonn an tAire Stáit gur cheart go mbeadh an oifig seo neamhspleách agus nár cheart é a chónascadh le hOifig an Ombudsman?
Níl cinneadh déanta deireadh a chur le hOifig an Choimisinéara Teanga, agus leanfaidh an coimisinéir agus a oifig ar aghaidh leis na freagrachtaí agus leis na dualgais atá ag an oifig i láthair na huaire. Tá an t-athbhreithniú ar siúl faoi láthair agus tháinig an chéad ghné de chun críche ansin cúpla seachtain ó shin agus tháinig a lán suirbhéanna agus a lán aighneachtaí isteach agus nuair atá anailís agus scrúdú déanta orthu, cuirfear chuig an Roinn iad. Más gá reachtaíocht chun iad a chur i bhfeidhm, rachaidh sé os comhair an Rialtais ag an bpointe sin.
Ní aontaíonn saineolaí teanga ar bith leis an Aire Stáit faoin ábhar seo. Dé réir na saineolaithe go léir, céim siar atá i gceist anseo don teanga. Tá pobal na Gaeilge agus eagraíochtaí na Gaeilge ar fud na tíre in éadan an chinnidh seo. Cé mhéid airgid a shábhálófar de bharr an chinnidh seo agus cén dochar a dhéanfaidh an cinneadh ar an Ghaeilge?
Braitheann sé ar thoradh an athbhreithnithe cad é an méid airgid a bheidh le sábháil idir cíos agus mar sin de. Maidir le tuarastal, leanfaidh an tOmbudsman ar aghaidh leis an fhoireann atá aici agus b'fhéidir go mbeidh breis foirne aici. Braitheann sé cén áit a mbeidh an oifig lonnaithe ann; b'fhéidir go mbeidh sé lonnaithe san áit chéanna. Ní féidir liom freagra iomlán a thabhairt ar na ceisteanna sin go dtí go bhfuil anailís agus scrúdú déanta ar na haighneachtaí agus na suirbhéanna a cuireadh isteach. Tá seo ag dul ar aghaidh agus beidh gach suirbhé agus aighneacht le feiceáil ar shuíomh Idirlíne na Roinne mar tugadh cead dúinn iad a chur os comhair an phobail.
Tá sé ag dul ar aghaidh agus ar aghaidh ach ag an bpointe seo, tá sé á dhéanamh i gcomhthéacs Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla. Má tá gá le reachtaíocht le leasú a dhéanamh, tharlóidh sin, ach caithfidh sé dul os comhair an Rialtais arís.