Vol. 805 No. 3
1. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil sé riachtanach pobal na Gaeilge agus na Gaeltachta a aithint mar gheallsealbhóirí i gcur i bhfeidhm na Straitéise Fiche Bliain don Ghaeilge; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [26306/13]
5. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil sé sásta, i gcomhthéacs na Straitéise 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge, 2010-2030, struchtúr ardleibhéil a chur ar bun idir na húdaráis agus eagraíochtaí pobail na Gaeilge agus na Gaeltachta, trína bhféadfar moltaí a dhéanamh sula gcuirfear ar aghaidh chuig na hAirí cuí iad. [26480/13]
Tógfaidh mé Ceisteanna Uimh. 1 agus 5 le chéile.
Sa chaoi is gur féidir linn an Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge a chur i bhfeidhm go héifeachtach, níl amhras dá laghad orm ach go bhfuil sé riachtanach go mbeidh ról lárnach ag pobal na Gaeilge agus na Gaeltachta sa phróiseas sin. Ar ndóigh, tá an ról sin aitheanta go sonrach in Acht na Gaeltachta 2012 a leagann bunús reachtúil faoi fheidhmiú na Straitéise agus faoin phróiseas pleanála teanga ach go háirithe. Mar thoradh ar Acht na Gaeltachta, tá ról níos lárnaí ná riamh ag pobal na Gaeilge agus na Gaeltachta, agus ag na heagraíochtaí pobail a fheidhmíonn thar a gceann, i gcur i bhfeidhm na Straitéise tríd an phróiseas pleanála teanga ar an talamh.
Chomh fada is a bhaineann sé leis an Ghaeltacht, tá aitheantas ar leith tugtha sa Straitéis don ról faoi leith atá á imirt le fada an lá ag pobal na Gaeltachta agus ag na heagraíochtaí pobail sa Ghaeltacht i gcur chun cinn na Gaeilge mar theanga pobail agus teaghlaigh sa Ghaeltacht. Le cur i bhfeidhm an phróisis phleanála teanga faoi Acht na Gaeltachta, déanfar ról an phobail sa Ghaeltacht a threisiú tuilleadh, chomh maith le ról na n-eagraíochtaí pobail a fheidhmíonn thar a gceann, le tacaíocht phraiticiúil ó mo Roinnse, ó Údarás na Gaeltachta agus ó fhoinsí Stáit eile. Sa chomhthéacs sin, tá obair ullmhúcháin ar bun ag Údarás na Gaeltachta i gcomhar leis na heagraíochtaí pobail chun cabhrú leo pleananna teanga a ullmhú sna limistéir pleanála teanga Ghaeltachta.
Chomh fada is a bhaineann sé leis an chuid eile den tír, níl aon amhras ann ach go bhfuil raon d'eagraíochtaí thar a bheith gníomhach i gcur chun cinn na Gaeilge i measc an phobail i gcoitinne, le tacaíocht phraiticiúil ó mo Roinnse, ó Fhoras na Gaeilge agus ó fhoinsí Stáit eile. Tá a gcuid oibre siúd thar a bheith tábhachtach agus muid ag iarraidh cuspóirí na Straitéise a bhaint amach ar bhonn náisiúnta. Tá obair ullmhúcháin ar bun ag Foras na Gaeilge, i gcomhar le heagraíochtaí pobail áirithe taobh amuigh den Ghaeltacht, chun cabhrú leo pleananna teanga a ullmhú i gceantair ar leith.
Additional information not given on the floor of the House
Ós rud é go gcreidim go láidir gur chóir go mbeadh ionchur ag na heagraíochtaí pobail i gcur i bhfeidhm na Straitéise, tá sé beartaithe ag mo Roinnse, i gcomhar le hÚdarás na Gaeltachta agus le Foras na Gaeilge, seimineár a reáchtáil don chuspóir seo go luath. Tá súil agam go gcuideoidh sé seo le malartú eolais faoin Straitéis a éascú idir mo Roinn, an tÚdarás agus an Foras, agus na heagraíochtaí Gaeilge agus Gaeltachta. Tabharfaidh an seimineár deis an próiseas pleanála teanga a phlé leis na heagraíochtaí seo fosta. Beidh mé ag tnúth leis na tuairimí uile a thiocfaidh ón seimineár a mheas i dtráth cuí.
Déanfaidh mé mo dhícheall gan an iomarca ama a thógáil. Tá mé ag seasamh isteach don Teachta Kitt, atá as láthair inniu. Glacann chuile duine go bhfuil an tAire Stáit tógtha go hiomlán leis an Ghaeilge. Níl aon amhras orm ina thaobh agus ní dóigh liom go bhfuil amhras ar bith ar éinne eile. Tá amhras mór ar mhuintir na tíre mar gheall ar cé chomh tógtha atá an Rialtas leis an teanga, áfach. Is í sin an fhadhb leis an straitéis. Feiceann daoine go bhfuil lagú ag teacht ar an straitéis ón am á tháinig an Rialtas seo i gcumhacht. Is í sin an deacracht. Cé go n-admhaíonn an tAire Stáit go bhfuil muintir na Gaeltachta thar a bheith tábhachtach, mar an gcéanna leo siúd lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht ag a bhfuil suim acu sa teanga, níl struchtúr ardleibhéal ar bith ar fáil dóibh ionas go mbeidh tionchar acu ar na húdaráis atá ann faoi láthair. Is í sin an deacracht is mó. Impím ar an Aire Stáit rud éigin a dhéanamh faoi sin chomh luath agus is féidir leis.
Ní aontaím leis an Teachta a chor ar bith. Tá an Rialtas lán-dáiríre maidir leis an straitéis 20 bliain a chur i bhfeidhm. Tá sé luaite go sonrach i bplean an Rialtais le haghaidh an tréimhse amach romhainn - an plean atá aontaithe idir an dá phairtí sa Rialtas - go bhfuilimid go hiomlán taobh thiar de chur i bhfeidhm na straitéise chomh fada agus is féidir. Ar ndóigh, tá struchtúr ar fáil. Tagann an fochoiste Rialtais, atá ag tiomáint na straitéise ar aghaidh, le chéile go rialta faoi chathaoirleacht an Taoisigh. Tá na Ranna go léir páirteach sa choiste idir-rannach ar a bhfuil mé féin mar chathaoirleach. Tá na Ranna sonracha - an Roinn Oideachais agus Scileanna, an Roinn Comhshaoil, Pobail agus Rialtais Áitiúil, srl. - páirteach san fhochoiste. Is cinnte go bhfuil se ag dul ar aghaidh. Tá Acht na Gaeltachta curtha fríd. Táimid anois ag déanamh na rialacháin maidir le cur i bhfeidhm na ceantair pleanála teanga agus foilseofar iad gan mhoill.
Caithfidh an tAire Stáit glacadh leis nach bhfuil na heagrais Gaeilge timpeall na tíre sásta le rudaí mar atá siad. Níl siad sásta leis an gcóras atá ann dóibh chun teagmháil a dhéanamh leis na húdaráis. Cad é an uair is déanaí ar tháinig an fochoiste faoi choimirce an Taoisigh le chéile? Cé chomh minic a thagann sé le chéile chun déileáil leis na gnéithe seo?
Bhí an cruinniú deiridh den fhochoiste i mí Aibreáin seo caite. Níl an dáta cruinn agam. Sílim go mbeidh an chéad chruinniú eile ar 24 Meitheamh - an mhí seo atá buailte linn. Mar a dúirt mé, tá sé ag teacht ar aghaidh.
Aontaím go bhfuil jab le déanamh ag na heagraíochtaí Gaeilge. Bhí mé mar bhall de an-chuid eagraíochtaí Gaeilge le blianta fada anuas. I mo thuairim, ní thiocfaidh an lá choíche ina mbeidh na heagraíochtaí sin 100% sásta leis an obair atá ar siúl againn. Is é an jab atá le déanamh acu ná bheith ag gríosadh, ag brú agus ag tabhairt amach. Cuirim fáilte roimh an méid ata le rá ag na heagraíochtaí Gaeilge.
We now move to-----
Gabh mo leithscéal, but the Minister is taking two questions together.
That is correct. We are taking Questions Nos. 1 and 5 together.
Mar is eol do chách, le dhá bhliain anuas tá Fine Gael agus Páirtí an Lucht Oibre tar éis saghas ionsaithe uafásach a dhéanamh ar an nGaeilge, ar an nGaeltacht agus ar institiúidí na Gaeilge agus na Gaeltachta. Tá Acht na Gaeltachta 2012 cáinte ag beagnach gach eagraíocht Ghaeilge sa tír; tá an Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta, Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga, Údaras na Gaeltachta, atá tar éis ciorruithe buiséid a ghlacadh, Raidió na Gaeltachta, Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge agus Foras na Gaeilge ar an liosta fada. Tá easpa daonlathais san údarás anois. Táimid fós ag fanacht leis na pleananna teanga. Tá a fhios agam nach bhfuil na hacmhainní ann. Tá na deontais bainte os na hábhair oidí. Tá deireadh curtha le scéim labhairt na Gaeilge. Tá maoiniú na heagraíochtaí Gaeilge fós ard san aer ag an bomaite. Tá easpa seirbhísí Gaeilge ag go leor Ranna agus comhlachtaí Stáit. Tá moill fhada ar aontú scéimeanna teanga na heagraíochtaí Stáit. Tá an próiseas comhairliúcháin phoiblí maidir leis an Acht críochnaithe le breis agus bliain, ach fós níl na torthaí le fáil. Conas is féidir leis an Aire Stáit obair le hurlabhraí na n-eagraíochtaí ata á mbagairt agus á gcur faoi bhrú aige? Chonaiceamar é sin i gcás Guth na Gaeltachta cúpla mí ó shin. Cén fáth nach bhfuil an tAire Stáit sásta na n-eagraíochtaí Gaeilge agus Gaeltachta - is léir an luach, an t-ábhar agus an fuinneamh atá acu - a aithint mar gheallshealbhóirí i gcur i bhfeidhm na straitéise 20 bliain? Oibríonn an Rialtas leis na ceardchumainn san earnáil phoiblí i gcónaí. Tá ról lárnach ag na heagraíochtaí a bhaineann le cúrsaí feirmeoireachta sa phlean forbartha Harvest 2020. Tá an Rialtas ag fágáil na heagraíochtaí Gaeilge amuigh sa bhfuacht ag an bomaite.
Noiméad amhaín.
Mar a dúirt mé leis an Teachta Ó Feargháil, tá teagmháil rialta agam leis na heagraíochtaí Gaeilge agus na heagraíochtaí Gaeltachta. Tá mé i mo chónaí i gceartlár na Gaeltachta. Buaileann mé le muintir na Gaeltachta i mo dháilcheantar féin agus ar fud na tíre chomh minic agus is féidir liom. Níl mí ar bith nach dtugaim cuairt ar Ghaeltacht éigin ar fud na tíre. Tuigim go maith cad atá ag dul ar aghaidh sna Gaeltachtaí. Bíonn cruinnithe rialta agam leis na heagraíochtaí atá ag plé le cúrsaí Gaeilge. Creidim go láidir gur chóir go mbeadh ionchur ag na heagraíochtaí pobail i gcur i bhfeidhm na straitéise. Tá sé beartaithe agam i mo Roinn, i gcomhar le hÚdarás na Gaeltachta agus Foras na Gaeilge, seimineár a reáchtáil gan mhoill do na heagraíochtaí Gaeilge agus na Ranna go léir. Tá sé ar intinn agam é sin a dhéanamh chomh luath agus is féidir. Más féidir liom é a dhéanamh roimh an samhradh, déanfaidh mé é sin. Ba mhaith liom fáil amach cad iad na tuairimí, na moltaí agus na smaointe atá ag na heagraíochtaí seo, iad a thabhairt le chéile agus éisteacht leis an méid atá le rá acu. Má shílim go bhfuil moltaí fiúntacha ag teacht ar aghaidh ón seimineár, beidh me sásta gníomhú dá réir. Táimid ag iarraidh gach duine - na heagraíochtaí, muintir na Gaeltachta agus an pobal i gcoitinne - a thabhairt linn. Tá súil agam go rachfaidh muid ar aghaidh le chéile, níos aontaithe ná riamh, mar thoradh ar an seimineár agus cuspóirí na straitéise a chur i bhfeidhm.
Níl seimineár maith go leor d'éinne, i ndáiríre. Níl na heagraíochtaí Gaeilge sásta ar chor ar bith le seimineár. Iarraim ar an Aire Stáit an seans seo a thógáil. Ní gá go mbeimid á shéanadh aige nuair a chuirimid ceisteanna air. Ba cheart dó éisteacht linn. Ba cheart don Rialtas a chur chuige a athrú agus na heagraíochtaí Gaeilge a scaoileadh isteach mar gheallshealbhóirí lárnacha sa straitéis 20 bliain. Iarraim ar an Aire Stáit smaoineamh ar an mholadh sin agus meon oscailte a choimeád. Is luach iontach iad na heagraíochtaí. Tá fuinneamh iontach acu. Ba cheart go mbeadh an tAire Stáit i bhfad níos oscailte, seachas a rá go bhfuil an doras dúnta-----
Níl ach noiméad amhaín fágtha.
-----agus go rachfaimid go léir abhaile nuair atá an seimineár críochnaithe leis an mbóthar céanna á leanúint againn. Déanann na heagraíochtaí seo ionadaíocht ar son daoine ó gach cearnóg den tír seo. Impímid ar an Aire Stáit éisteacht leo agus iad a ligean isteach chun cabhair a thabbhairt dó. Níl a fhios agam cén fáth a bhfuil an doras faoi ghlas aige.
Níl an doras faoi ghlas - tá sé oscailte go hiomlán do na heagraíochtaí Gaeilge lá i ndiaidh lae. Is minic a bhuailim leo go hoifigiúil agus go neamhoifigiúil. An deireadh seachtaine seo caite, bhuail mé le go leor acu ag cruinniú an Choimisinéara Teanga anseo i mBaile Átha Cliath. Mar a dúirt mé, beidh siad go léir ag an seimineár agus éisteoidh mé arís leis an méid atá le rá acu. Ní bheidh m'intinn dúnta má mholann siad struchtúr eile a chur ar fáil - beidh m'intinn oscaite. Tá mé ag déileáil le cúrsaí Gaeilge i rith mo shaoil. Má táimid chun struchtúirí agus struchtúirí eile a chur ar bun, sa deireadh thiar thall b'fhéidir go mbeidh níos mó struchtúirí Gaeilge ná cainteoirí dúchais sa tír.
I apologise for causing that little mix-up. I was not aware that the two questions were being taken together.
We will forgive the Acting Chairman on this occasion.
2. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide a detailed progress report to date on the historic towns initiative pilot scheme; if he will provide a detailed report of its financial return in terms of heritage tourism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26102/13]
My Department is currently developing a heritage-led historic towns initiative with Fáilte Ireland and the Heritage Council. My primary objective with this initiative is to ensure that the participating towns in the pilot scheme - Westport, Youghal and Listowel - will have access to and an understanding of appropriate guidance to assist them in best conserving their heritage assets. In so doing, they can underpin the sustainability of their communities and local economies. It is my hope that meeting these goals will also significantly enhance the visitor experience in these towns and will help to maximise the potential positive contribution of tourism to each of them.
Following the launch earlier this year of a framework document, funding has been allocated by my Department and by Fáilte Ireland to the three towns for projects in 2013. Each town will make an additional contribution in the form of direct financial aid or contribution-in-kind and the pilot phase will run through 2013 and continue into 2014. The pilot towns are currently implementing the steps set out in the framework document and each has set up a local historic towns initiative working group consisting of representatives from local government and community groups and other stakeholders. The local groups are responsible for drawing up a vision for their towns, with specific objectives supported by a clear action plan. It is intended that the first projects identified in the action plans will commence this summer.
I understand that the three town councils, with financial support from Fáilte Ireland, will shortly undertake a baseline survey to gauge the views of the local community, various business stakeholders and visitors regarding the issues they see facing each town. This survey will be used to monitor the effectiveness of the pilot phase of the initiative, its return in terms of heritage-led regeneration and the impact on tourism. As the Deputy will appreciate, it is too early at this stage in the project to provide a detailed report of its financial return in terms of heritage tourism.
I wish to inform Members that there is one minute for each supplementary question and each answer, giving a total of four minutes overall.
I thank the Minister for his reply. Despite the fact that work remains ongoing, I can say with great confidence that Youghal, the town in which I live, has benefited hugely from this project.
Youghal has a public realm plan, as I am sure Westport and Listowel do. This is a fantastic opportunity for them to roll out their plans.
The pilot scheme has had a knock-on effect, in that many businesses are decorating their premises. The towns benefit greatly from this. There is a clear connection between a town's visual impact and its ability to attract tourists. Does the Minister plan to extend the scheme and will there be a second phase of funding for the three towns involved if the scheme is deemed successful?
I acknowledge Deputy McLellan's support for this initiative. She was present in a supportive capacity at the public occasions at which we launched the programme, including the occasion in the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government's heritage section. The town of Youghal has embraced this opportunity and is making something special out of it.
The project's future is one of my main priorities in office. Some 34 towns were designated heritage towns by Fáilte Ireland, primarily in the early 1990s. It seems that fewer than half of them are actively promoting themselves as such. I will revisit 31 of the towns and try to re-energise them. Some are availing of the brand whereas others are not.
Of the network of 21 walled towns, some also happen to be heritage towns. The walled towns network is an all-Ireland initiative and presents a great opportunity for North-South co-operation through Tourism Ireland, which promotes all of the island abroad, to expand the heritage town concept to Northern Ireland. The two categories can be marketed together.
I will extend the pilot scheme and will probably choose a further three towns based on certain criteria that I will outline. It is a worthwhile initiative. As Deputy McLellan stated, it is working in Youghal.
Very much so.
I have seen it working in Listowel and Westport.
Youghal is also the second largest walled town in Ireland after Derry in Northern Ireland. In the current climate of mass emigration and high rates of unemployment, it is impossible to overestimate the importance of schemes like the historic towns initiative for each of the three towns involved. I hope that it can be expanded. I have a slight concern that the abolition of town councils might have a negative effect, as the scheme must be done in co-operation with local authorities.
One of the criteria for choosing Youghal, for example, was the presence of an architectural conservation officer in the county. I am sure that every county with a heritage town has such an officer. This is an essential criterion. The changing format of local government will not affect the scheme. Actually, it might help. In some cases, a county may have more resources than an urban authority. I am anxious to continue the scheme and to re-energise it as much as possible.
Question No. 3 is in the name of Deputy Finian McGrath, who is not present. Unless there are arrangements for someone else to take his question, we will pass on to Question No. 4.
I would normally read out the question.
We could hear the answer.
I have been advised to move to Question No. 4 by the clerk.
The Minister would normally read out his answer.
The person who nominated the question must be in the Chamber for the answer to be read. I have learned something new today.
I accept the Chair's ruling.
4. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the actions he will take to ensure the preservation of numbers 14, 15 and 16 Moore Street, Dublin 1; if there is a compulsory purchase order planned for these sites or is it already in existence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26307/13]
The national monument at 14-17 Moore Street is the subject of a preservation order under the National Monuments Acts. The effect of the order is that any work affecting the site requires the consent of the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht under section 14 of the National Monuments Act 1930, as amended.
The landowner's application to my Department for consent to proposals that include the provision of a commemorative centre to the 1916 Rising and its leaders on the national monument site is being examined. As part of the consent process, the applicant was asked by my Department to provide an environmental impact statement, EIS, on the proposed works. Following completion of the statutory consultation procedures associated with the EIS, I am proceeding with the formal environmental impact assessment, EIA, including consideration of the submissions received. I will then make a decision on the consent application itself.
The national monument is in private ownership and has not been subject to compulsory purchase procedures. Responsibility for its upkeep and maintenance rests with the owners. My function in that respect is confined to considering any related proposal by the owners for which my consent must be sought under the National Monuments Acts. Such consent has been applied for, and granted, from time to time, most recently for essential stabilisation works to the building facades, and I understand that the buildings are structurally secure. The monument buildings are also included in the record of protected structures maintained by Dublin City Council under the Planning Acts. It is important to point out that the city council has specific powers of intervention should any particular concern arise about the structures' condition.
I hope to be in a position to make a determination on the consent application under the National Monuments Acts and the associated EIA in the near future.
Before Deputy Ó Fearghaíl asks a supplementary question, I wish to advise the House of what I have learned. In the case of Priority Questions, the nominated question's poser must be present. In the case of Other Questions, the Minister may read the reply. Do the Deputies follow?
We have all learned something.
As I rise, I feel like a person in the early Alzheimer's advertisement, which asks whether the person keeps asking the same question again and again and again. This matter has arisen again and again and again during our sessions with the Minister. He has indicated to the House that he intends to consider the request for consent, but we have reached the point of urgency with the national monument at 14-17 Moore Street. We all appreciate the site's importance. It is in a state of advanced decay and I understand that the Minister gave his consent to emergency works being carried out in February. I also understand that, when a number of Deputies visited the area in the course of the past week or two, they were refused access because of the state of the buildings.
Dublin City Council has advised the Minister against giving consent for the proposed works. My colleague, Councillor Mary Fitzpatrick has been campaigning on the council for Moore Street's restoration and broader works of a positive nature in the north O'Connell Street area.
Can we please inject a level of urgency into this issue? While it does not all rest with the Minister, will he move forward urgently with his area of responsibility so that we do not need to raise these questions again and the Department can be seen to be taking action?
That is my full intention. I am awaiting my officials' recommendation. Hopefully, it will be presented. I have looked for it and would have been delighted to advise the Deputy that I had it. After I have it, I will assess it and make an announcement shortly. I promised Deputy McLellan that the announcement would come before the end of this Dáil session. This is for sure. I agree with everyone that we need to make a determination on this issue, as 2016 is approaching. Whatever the determination will be, it will be important.
One side of the family supports the proposal while the other side does not.
What is proposed for Nos. 14 to 17 Moore Street is being examined and I will make a decision on the matter shortly. All I can do under the existing legislation is give consent to any works being carried out. I must determine whether the proposed works would in any way affect the monument. Chartered Land has sought permission to carry out stabilisation work on No. 15, which I provided and the work is being carried out. Work on the facade is to start immediately. Permission was not required for such work but the company informed me of it. I urge Deputy Ó Fearghaíl to convey to his party councillors who are interested in the matter that Dublin City Council can issue a directive to Chartered Land at any time to carry out essential structural works if it is concerned about the buildings. If such a request appears on my desk I will deal with it immediately because I am as concerned as anyone else in the House about the buildings.
This is something that concerns all of us. I would like to see a united approach from everyone to resolve the issue. The matter is not simple and significant issues arise but it is important that the House is united on the approach. To date, generally speaking people have been positive, practical and pragmatic in their approach. I agree with the Deputy that concerns arise and that the matter must be addressed urgently. Accordingly, the decision will be made before the House adjourns.
I welcome the Minister’s assurance that he treats the matter with urgency. For my part, I will liaise with my party’s councillors and ask them what Dublin City Council can do. Could the Minister indicate whether he has had recent, direct contact with Chartered Land or NAMA?
No, I have not. The contact I had with Chartered Land was through the all-party committee to which it made a presentation. I have had no direct contact with the company since.
I understand that the Moore Street committee is very anxious to visit the monument. I received a letter from Deputy McLellan requesting such a visit in which she outlined that problems had arisen in that regard. I will contact Chartered Land to ensure the committee is accommodated. I understand an all-party committee has been selected to visit the monument as soon as possible. I will certainly make the request.
