Thar ceann an choiste is mian liom fáilte a chur roimh an tAire Stáit ag an Roinn Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gaeltachta agus Oileán, Éamon Ó Cuív, agus a chuid oifigeach atá anseo chun Meastachán Forlíontach don Roinn, Vóta 42, agus don Dánlann Náisiúnta, Vóta 43 a phlé. Tuigim go bhfuil an tAire gafa ag cruinniú Rialtais. Cuirfidh an tAire Stáit tús leis na himeachtaí agus ansin beidh cead cainte ag urlabhraithe ón bhFreasúra agus beidh díospóireacht ghinearálta againn. Tá an Meastachán Forlíontach á bhreithniú, ní féidir méid na meastachán a athrú agus níl aon vótáil i gceist. Is féidir glacadh le ráiteas scor ansin.
Estimates for Public Services, 1999.
Vote 42 — Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands.
Vote 43 — National Gallery.
Ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghlacadh leis an Roghchoiste as an deis seo a thabhairt dom tairiscintí an Aire do Mheastachán Forlíontacha don bhliain reatha a chur faoi bhur mbráid. Ba mhaith liom leithscéal, mar atá déanta ag an gCathaoirleach, a ghabháil ar son an Aire. Mar a thuigfidh sibh féin tá sí gafa ag cruinniú Rialtais ar maidin.
Molaim Meastachán Forlíontach £1,000 le haghaidh Vóta 42, an Roinn Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gaeltlachta agus Oileán.
Sa Mheastachán Athbhreithnithe a foilsíodh i mí Aibreáin seo caite don Roinn Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gaeltachta agus Oileán is é seo a leanas an soláthar le haghaidh Bord na Gaeilge, Ciste na Gaeilge agus an Foras Teanga don bhliain 1999:
|
Fomhírcheann |
£m |
|
I (Bord na Gaeilge) |
0.900 |
|
J1 (Ciste na Gaeilge) |
1.918 |
|
J2 (An Foras Teanga) |
4.829 |
|
An tIomlán |
7.647 |
Sa soláthar de £4.829 don Fhoras Teanga tá na suimeanna seo a leanas:
|
£m |
|
|
Bord na Gaeilge |
2.650 |
|
Ciste na Gaeilge |
1.332 |
|
An Gúm |
0.847 |
|
4.829 |
Toisc nár bunaíodh an Foras Teanga go dtí an Déardaoin seo caite ní thitfidh aon chaiteachas ar Vóta na Roinne ina leith don bhliain reatha. Mar sin tá suimeanna do Bhord na Gaeilge agus do Chiste na Gaeilge atá laistigh den tsuim £4.829 don Fhoras Teanga á dtógáil amach as an bhfo-mhírcheann sin agus á gcur ar ais sna fo-mhírchinn do Bhord na Gaeilge agus do Chiste na Gaeilge chun freastal ar chaiteachas an Bhoird i 1999 agus ar íocaíochtaí sa bhliain chéanna le hEagrais Dheonacha Ghaeilge áirithe a raibh an cúram ina leith le haistriú chuig an bhForas Teanga. Maidir leis an tsuim don Ghúm tuigtear dom go bhfuil sé sin le haischur i Vóta na Roinne Oideachais agus Eolaíochta
Níl airgead breise i gceist in 1999 do Bhord na Gaeilge nó do Chiste na Gaeilge. Is socrú cuntasaíochta atá i gceist i bhfírinne.
Ba mhaith liom a rá mar Aire Stáit ag an Roinn Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gaeltachta agus Oileán go bhfáiltím roimh na bhForas Feidhme Trasteorann — an Foras Teanga ina measc. Is céim thábhachtach í i bpróiséas na síochána ar an oileán seo bunú na bhForas Trasteorann sin. Maidir leis an bhForas Teanga creidim gur céim mhór chun tosaigh é don Ghaeilge. Feileann socrú uile-Éireann do chúrsaí teanga. Faoin bhForas nua tá struchtúr anois don chéad uair chun tacaíocht a thabhairt don Ghaeilge ar bhonn uile-oileánda agus cuirim fáilte ar leith roimhe sin. Ar ndóigh beidh cúraimí i dtaca leis an Ultais agus le cúrsaí cultúrtha Ultais ag an bhForas chomh maith.
An bhfuil sé i gceist cóip den ráiteas sin a thabhairt dúinn anseo?
Déanfar é sin. Níl aon rud rúnda ionntu anyway. Guím gach rath ar shaothar an Fhorais Teanga agus is deimhin liom go n-aontaíonn comhaltaí an Roghchoiste liom sa mhéid sin.
I am proposing the allocation of savings in other areas of my Department's Vote to provide an additional capital allocation of £700,000 to Subhead N2 — the Irish Film Board, to enable the board to provide additional development and production loans to meet this increased demand. This will bring the 1999 capital provision for the board to a total of £4,781 million, an increase of 17% on the original allocation. Happily, because of the continued expansion of the film industry, there is an increasing demand from the indigenous film production sector for Irish Film Board support by way of additional development and production loans.
While the earlier half of 1999 was relatively quiet in the film industry, reflecting an international downturn in production, as well as some uncertainty about the future of section 481, there was an upsurge of activity in the industry later in the year. This was largely attributable to the indigenous sector and led to additional calls on the film board for support for projects. The board has also been increasing its commitment in the vital area of script development. I have no doubt these extra resources will make an important contribution to enabling the Irish Film Board to carry out its statutory role and consolidate its recent success in developing the indigenous film sector in an effective manner.
In his most recent Budget Statement, the Minister for Finance announced the extension of section 481 of the Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997, for a period of five years, at the current 80% rate. Previous extensions have never exceeded three years. This extension, combined with the increased resources for the Irish Film Board, is intended to give an extended period of stability and confidence, to enable the industry to plan for strategic development and growth. Most commentators see the five year extension as a tremendous achievement at a time when tax incentives generally are being abolished or reduced.
As already adverted to in the briefing material, the requirement for a Supplementary Estimate to implement the necessary reallocations arise because the subheads in question involve grant-in-aid funding. There is adequate savings identified in Vote 42 to finance the proposed reallocations. As a result, the net Supplementary Estimate on the Vote amounts only to £1,000.
I am also proposing a Supplementary Estimate of £164,000 for Vote 43 — the National Gallery of Ireland. This amount represents a 6.84% increase on the 1999 Vote which is £2.396 million. The additional funds are required principally because expenditure in 1999 on Incidental Expenses and Office Premises was higher than anticipated by the gallery.
Under Incidental Expenses, £32,000 extra was spent by the gallery on security relating to the national collection. Despite efforts by the gallery to reduce security costs, the safety and security of the collection is paramount and this expenditure is unavoidable. Because the gallery does not have internal staff resources in a number of specialist fields, it was necessary for it to hire consultants to deal with certain projects during the year. Some of these projects were unforeseen or the costs were slightly higher than anticipated. This gave rise to a funding requirement of an additional £67,000. As this is in respect of such items as preparing a draft statement of strategy for the gallery under the strategic management initiative and IT systems development, I consider it essential funding.
Advertising is used to fill vacancies in the gallery and, as is the case with many employers at present, it has experienced difficulty lately in recruiting people. The need to re-advertise posts gave rise to additional unavoidable advertising expenditure of £22,000. The cost of running the gallery's offices premises was £43,000 higher than anticipated, principally because heating and maintenance of some of the gallery's older buildings escalated during the year.
All these expenses are proper to the National Gallery of Ireland and I commend the Supplementary Estimate to the committee. Molaim an Meastachán Forlíontach seo don Roghchoiste agus beidh mé sásta aon cheisteanna a fhreagairt ar an ábhar.
Ba mhaith liom buiochas a ghlacadh leis an Roghchoiste arís as an deis a thabhairt dom an Meastachán Forlíontach a chur os bhur gcomhair.
An bhfuil sé i gceist ag an Aire teacht anseo ar chor ar bith? Ní bheidh an cruinniú Rialtais ar siúl go dtí leath i ndiaidh a haondéag.
Beidh sé ar siúl ar a haondéag. Rinne mé moladh——
Tá fhios agam é sin agus rinne tú go maith e. Níl sé ar intinn aici teacht anseo ar chor ar bith ?
Tá cruinniú Rialtais ar maidin agus ní féidir léi teacht.
Ceist ortsa a Chathaoirligh, cén sórt struchtúir atá ar na Meastacháin seo. Ní féidir liomsa——
Níl ach ceithre nó cúig forchinn le plé. Ar aghaidh leat.
An bhfuil cead againn ráiteas ginearálta a dhéanamh agus ceisteanna a chur ar an Aire Stáit in a dhiaidh sin?
Tá——
Ar dtús os rud é go bhfuil an tAire Stáit anseo ba mhaith liom a rá nach bhfuil deireadh go fóill le toghchán Údarás na Gaeltachta D'aontaigh mé leis an Aire Stáit nuair a bhí sé ag caint maidir le poiblíocht dóibh siúd a bhí ag labhairt na Gaeilge. Chonaic mé an ráiteas a chuir sé amach i nGaillimh maidir le neamh -shuim na meán-chumarsáide ó thaobh cúrsaí Gaeilge de agus ó thaobh cúrsaí nuachtán Gaeilge de agus mar sin. Dúirt fear amháin liom an lá cheana gur Údarás gan Gaeilge atá ar siúl anseo agus gur fíor bheagán Gaeilge a bhí le cloisteáil thart faoin tír i leith na dtoghchán. Níl siad thart go hiomlán fós. Ba mhaith an rud é go raibh siad ar an Satharn. Thug sin deis do chuile dhuine a vóta a chaitheamh dá mba mhian leis nó léi.
An bhfuil sé i gceist ag an Aire Stáit an Bille nua Teanga a thabhairt isteach an chéad bhabhta eile nuair a bheimid ar ais tar éis na Nollag?
An bhfuil deireadh le Bord na Gaeilge? Nuair a chuireann duine glaoch orthu ar an fón ní Gníomhaireacht na Gaeilge a chloiseann sé ach Bord na Gaeilge go fóill. De réir na bhfógraí sna páipéirí nuachta ba cheart go mbeadh deireadh le Bord na Gaeilge.
Céard tá i ndán don bhForas Trasteorann? An bhfuil sé ar intinn ag an Aire Stáit bualadh leo go luath agus an bhfuil sé ar intinn aige bualadh leis an Aire nua Oideachais i mBéal Feirste maidir le forbairt agus leathnú na Gaeilge de? Dúirt sé an lá cheana gur mhaith leis go mbeadh deis ag chuile dhuine dul go dtí a rogha scoile agus go go mbeadh seans ag gach dalta sa Tuaisceart oideachas a fháil tré Ghaeilge dá mba mhaith leo.
An bhfuil sé ar intinn aige casadh leis an Aire Cumarsáide sa Tuaisceart féachaint an féidir TG4 a chraoladh ar fuaid an Tuaiscirt go hiomlán ó thaobh na Gaeilge de? An bhfuil imní ar an Aire Stáit maidir le forbairt na teanga de ós rud é go bhfuil sé ar intinn ag an Aire Oideachais — nó b'fhéidir nach bhfuil — gan pointí áirithe a thabhairt do dhaltaí a dhéanann ábhair tré Ghaeilge don Ardteistiméaracht?
Tá fhios agam go bhfuil scrúdú eacnamaíochta agus sóisialta déanta ag an Aire Stáit ar na Gaeltachtaí. Céard tá i ndán dóibh? Tuige nach bhfuil sé ceart, más í an teanga an rud atáimid ag caint faoi — agus aontaím leis na hiarrachtaí atá á ndéanamh ag an Aire Stáit — go mbeadh cead ag gasúr a bhfuil comhnaí ar i gCo. Ua bhFáilí deontas Gaeilge a fháil má labhartar an teanga sa bhaile agus más competency sa Ghaeilge atá i gceist? Ní ó limistéar amháin sa tír a thagann an Ghaeilge. Is leis na daoine í.
Tá líon na ndaoine á laghdú i gcuid mhaith de na Gaeltachtaí. Níl cead acu cúrsaí pleanála a fhorbairt. Bhí mé ag caint le bean amháin an lá cheana as Fál Mór in aice le Béal a' Mhuirthid agus thuig mé uaithi go raibh 14 tithe sa bhaile mór, go raibh sé chinn acu sin ceannaithe ag daoine ó Bhaile Átha Cliath a bhíonn ann ar feadh cúpla seachtain sa bhliain, Tá na daoine eile i mBoston nó is Sasana agus nuair a bhíonn fonn orthu teacht abhaile ní bhíonn cead ar bith acu suíomh a ghlacadh le teach a thógáil. Mar sin, ar thaobh amháin tá fonn ar an Rialtas go mbeadh daoine ina gcomhnaí faoin dtuath agus an Ghaeilge á labhairt acu ach ar thaobh eile maidir leis na comhairlí contae de ní bhíonn an cead sin acu. An bhfuil sé ar intinn ag an Aire Stáit déileáil leis an Údarás nua maidir le cumhachtaí nua i leith tithe a thógáil a thabhairt dóibh agus an mbeadh sé i gceist consultations a bheith idir na comhairlí contae agus an tÚdarás maidir le cúrsaí pleanála de. Céard faoi cúrsaí cultúrdha agus turasóireachta maidir leis an Údarás nua?
Sin cúpla cheist maidir leis an nGaeilge. Tá neart ceisteanna eile agam. An leanfaidh mé ar aghaidh nó——
Cad mar gheall ar an airgead. Níor chuir tú ceist——
Dúirt tu liom go raibh cead agam ráiteas ginearálta a dhéanamh. Leanfaidh mé ar aghaidh mar sin.
I note the Minister's comments in relation to the Irish Film Board. At first glance, the announcement by the Minister for Finance of the extension of section 481 was welcome and one assumed that this was the completion of a hard fought campaign. In reality, however, the situation is different. The board recommended to the Government that the relief should be increased from 80% to 100% but that has not happened. In addition, the amount of money allocated is completely insufficient.
If the value of relief decreases as the value of money decreases and is fixed at 80%, will it not be more attractive for investors to invest their money in commercial ventures other than those on offer in the film sector? If, under section 481, relief is fixed at 80% for five years, its value will decrease in real terms. What proposals exist in respect of providing funding directed specifically to indigenous Irish productions? Is there a list of such productions or do we know on what the extra money will be spent?
It is impossible to ask a question in the Dáil about the National Gallery and I am glad we have an opportunity to do so here. The Revised Estimate for 1999 involves an increase of £2.273 million. In October I tabled a number of parliamentary questions to the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands on the National Gallery which were ruled out of order by the Ceann Comhairle who stated that the gallery is outside the remit of the Minister and that she has no responsibility to the Dáil in respect of it. One of those questions sought information about an excess of £116 which was referred to in the part of the 1998 annual report of the Comptroller and Auditor General which dealt with the National Gallery. I also asked the Minister if she could provide details of the unforeseen costs in regard to recruitment, legal, audit, accountancy and other consultancy fees referred to and if she would indicate the nature of those costs. I sought further information in respect of the number and title of acquisitions acquired by the National Gallery for the past two years and the extra moneys available in 1999 and 2000 for acquisition purposes and asked if the Minister could indicate the nature and extent of donations received by the gallery for each of the past two years.
There has been a degree of adverse comment about the operation of the National Gallery during the past 12 months, including a number of serious articles which appeared in national magazines. It appears that people comment about the structure and operation of the gallery in terms of the number of days on which rooms were closed to the public and its opening hours on all days, including weekends and bank holidays. Are there any plans for change in these areas in terms of the supplementary Vote?
Serious concerns have been expressed in respect of the administrative structures in operation in the National Gallery. The questions I put to the Minister concentrate on the symptoms of a malaise which appears to surround the National Gallery. When compared to its counterparts in other countries, the National Gallery appears to be in a state of crisis.
The National Gallery has had a great collection of paintings in its possession since 1856, including works by Caravaggio and others. Its Irish collection is housed in a series of octagonal rooms and there are also the Yeats' museum and the portrait room which houses portraits of Noel Browne, Jimmy O'Dea, Ann Cruickshank, Bernadette Greevy etc. By the time one visits these various rooms, one could be in a state of confusion regarding the system of presentation employed by the National Gallery. Are great paintings being mixed up with Irish portraits?
I travelled to Russia recently and I visited the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg and the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow, which are extremely well laid out and which are extremely important to the Russian people. They offer a superb display of magnificent paintings from various periods and they are laid out so that a person can view those paintings which hold greatest appeal for them.
What is the future projection for the National Gallery? Will it contain a mere mish-mash of all the great themes? What is the overrun on the extension to the National Gallery? To what future use will the building in Parnell Square be put? What will be housed there eventually?
I understand that following a series of adverse articles about the National Gallery, a report was commissioned and this was prepared by the gallery executive. Has the Minister seen this report or read its contents? Will copies of it be made available in the Oireachtas Library so that Members can familiarise themselves with what is happening in the Gallery? What were the most recent appointments to the board of the National Gallery? What competency do these appointees have in terms of experience in the art business? Is there a clear structure on the way the gallery is moving with regard to acquisitions? Is it the case that we have missed out on a number of Orpen paintings which should have been acquired by the State in the interests of the people? Is there an inferiority complex in the National Galley in relation to going for major work when it becomes available? Are smaller items of lesser importance being acquired to the detriment of larger works in terms of important Irish paintings which are not going to the National Gallery? Is the National Gallery's acquisitions policy in disarray? These questions have been on my mind for some time and perhaps the Minister could respond to them.
I am distressed to find that the change over from the Office of Public Works to Dúchas has created great tension in the family — I do not mean the family of the Aire Stáit and the Aire Rialtais. When one contacts the Office of Public Works by telephone, one is told the matter is dealt with by Dúchas and given its number and vice versa. There seems to be great tension between the two and I am not sure if the Minister can sort it out.
I am also concerned that there appears to be a degree of difficulty with the archaeological section. A number of people are on contract while others are permanent. As road building takes place, an increasing number of people from the archaeological section are being taken out to deal with crisis findings in County Tipperary and elsewhere. The archaeological personnel are being strained and if we are not to lose a huge amount of heritage in the development of the national plan over the next few years, a handle needs to be put on this matter at ministerial level. I will support such a move. The Minister told me in a reply to a parliamentary question recently that the matter was in hand. Does this mean she has spoken to the Minister for Finance who is in the news these days but who may have given her information in relation to sorting out this problem? For our sake as public representatives of the guardians of the soil, the farmers and the people who own property, this matter should be addressed.
Will the Minister refer to the waterways? I understand the new cross-Border body will be taken up with the Shannon-Erne waterway. What are the projections for work in 2000? Are we in favour of putting the Ulster Canal into Belfast to make it the longest navigable inland waterway in Europe? I do not wish to hog the limelight from my good friend, Deputy O'Shea, so I will conclude for now. If there is an opportunity to ask further questions, I will do so later.
Go raibh maith agat. Ag féachaint ar na Meastacháin seo, ar shlí níl mórán iontu ach b'fhéidir go bhfuil an Cathaoirleach ag tabhairt seans dúinn an díospóireacht a leathnú beagáinín. Ba mhaith liomsa filleadh ar an toghchán a bhí ann an deireadh seachtaine seo caite.
An toghcán atá ann.
Sea. Níl an scéal réitithe go fóill i nGaillimh ach bhí sé réitithe go luath i bPortláirge. Rud amháin a chuir isteach orm ná a luaithe agus a bhí líon na vótaí a caitheadh i gcuid de cheantair an Údaráis i nGaillimh comhairthe. Chomh fada agus is cuimhin liom níor chaith ach 12 faoin gcéad a vótaí i gcuid den Ghaeltacht atá istigh i gcathair na Gaillimhe. Bhí mé ag éisteacht leis an Aire Stáit ar TG4 an deireadh seachtaine. An gcuireann sé isteach air nach raibh ach 12 faoin gcéad de na daoine sin sásta a nguth a chaitheamh? An Ghaeltacht atá ann in aon chor? An bhfuil sé de dhualgas air tabhairt go práinneach faoin scéal sin agus faoi theorainn na Gaeltachta. Smaoiním ar dhaoine sa fíor-Ghaeltacht ag féachaint ar rud mar sin — vótaí a bheith ag daoine nach bhfuil comhnaí orthu sa Ghaeltacht ar chor ar bith. Ba mhaith liom tuairimí an Aire Stáit ar sin a fháil. Dúirt sé sa Dáil cúpla uair go raibh scéim ar intinn aige chun seans a thabhairt do cheantair Ghaeltachta nach dtiocfadh suas go dtí caighdeán teangeolaíochta agus tamall a thabhairt dóibh é a dhéanamh. B'fhéidir gur cheart tabhairt faoi chathair na Gaillimhe ar shlí éigin eile.
Rud go mbímse ag caint ar go minic ná taighde ginearálta ar stádas na Gaeilge ar fud na tíre agus conas a fhéachann an pobal i gcoitinne ar an nGaeilge. Tháinig tuairisc suimiúil amach le déanaí ón Institiúd Teangeolaíochta a bhí dírithe ar bhunscoileanna — na daltaí, na múinteoirí agus na tuismitheoirí. An raibh seans ag an Aire Stáit staidéar a dhéanamh ar an tuarascáil sin agus cad tá le foghlaim as? An bhfuil sé ar intinn ag an Aire Stáit, taréis féachaint ar an tuarascáil sin, athraithe a dhéanamh ar a chuid pleananna maidir leis an nGaeilge. Tá sé ráite agam go minic go bhfuil sé thar a bheith práinneach taighde ceart a dhéanamh, taighde forleathan, taighde den chéad scoth chun a fháil amach cad é meon an phobail i dtaobh na Gaeilge agus in a dhiaidh sin go spreagfaí díospóireacht náisiúnta ar an teanga. Ní dóigh liom go smaoiníonn furmhór an phobail ar an nGaeilge ó cheann ceann na bliana. Conas is féidir dul i dtreo tír dhátheangach muna smaoiníonn tromlach an phobail ar an nGaeilge i rith na bliana?
Rud eile a chuireann isteach orm go minic agus gur mhaith liom a chur faoi bhráid an Aire arís ná nach bhfuil foclóir Gaeilge nua-aimsireach den chéad scoth ar fáil. De réir mar is eol domsa níl aon duine nó aon dream ar m'eolas ag tabhairt faoin gceist sin. Muna bhfuil foclóir den chéad scoth ar fáil cuireann sé sin isteach ar fhorbairt na teanga agus ar chonas a fhoghlaimíonn daoine an teanga go mór mhór nuair atá téarmaíocht nua-aimsireach ag forbairt agus de réir mar a fheicimse é ag forbairt go tapaidh as seo amach.
Other points need to be focused on and one I raised recently in the House is the national sites and monuments record. It appears a turf war is ongoing between the Office of Public Works and Dúchas. Although the Minister said in her reply to my recent parliamentary question that she had put some provisions in place which had rectified the situation, I do not believe that is what is held among those who have to avail of these records on an ongoing basis. I understand proper meeting accommodation is not available. The service that can be provided by the staff in the records office is not the issue but the whole accommodation question. This was mentioned by Deputy Kenny in a different sense. Will the Minister say if a turf war is going on that could have the effect of slowing down the planning process? The Minister said in the Dáil recently that there had been 4,500 referrals so far this year, 3,000 last year and, as far as I am aware, there has been no increase in staff and the accommodation provision has worsened during that period. If we take this in the context of the national plan, where all types of physical infrastructural projects will come on stream in the next few years, there is a real possibility, unless there is greater provision in this area, that the whole planning process will become strangled and that projects that should go forward will not go forward because information required by planning authorities cannot be readily availed of.
On the question of national parks, some of us have recently looked at the Canadian position, on which a report is in the process of being provided. Has the Department any plans, through Dúchas, to extend the number of national parks? Whereas some of the national parks in Canada are vast, national parks do not have to be vast. There are various areas throughout the country where national parks can be provided which would contribute not only to leisure and cultural development but to the educational scene.
In relation to the Irish Film Board we welcome the extension of section 481 and the provision of extra money for projects to go forward. Has an audit been carried out on the return to the State from the funding made available to the sector by the Irish Film Board? Is there a net gain to the State and, if so, does it relate to documentaries or features? What is the growth area in the Irish film sector? I shall leave it at that for the time being and look forward to the Minister of State's response.
Tá go leor ceisteanna curtha agus tá súil agam go mbeidh mé in ann iad a fhreagairt. Má dhéanaim dearmad ar aon cheist a fhreagairt beidh sibh in ann é a mheabhrú dom.
Bhí ceist ag an Teachta Kenny i dtosach báire faoi Bhord na Gaeilge agus faoi Údarás na Gaeltachta agus rudaí mar sin. Maidir leis an Údarás tá's againn go bhfuil an toghchán fós ar bun agus go ginearálta d'éirigh go maith leis an toghchán agus bhí i bhfad níos mó spéise ann.
Chuir an Teachta O'Shea ceist maidir le vótáil sa toghchán. Ar an gcéad dul síos bhí an vótáil ard. Táimid ag caint ar os cionn 50 faoin gcéad i gcuid mhaith de na Gaeltachtaí agus léirigh sé sin spéis an phobail i dtoghchán an Údaráis. Maidir leis an vótáil thart ar chathair na Gaillimhe, tá cúpla rud gur mhaith liomsa a rá faoi seo anseo agus tá sé ráite agam cheana féin ar Raidio na Gaeltachta agus ar TG4. Tá fadhb istigh i gcathair na Gaillimhe. Ní fadhb Gaeilge amháin í agus sin míthuiscint choitianta atá ar an bpobal. Tá an Ghaeilge lag istigh sna ceantair Ghaeltachta ar imeall na cathrach agus tá sé sin le feiceáil sna staitisticí atá agam. Ach ar an gcaoi céanna tá an Ghaeilge lag i mBéal a' Mhuirthid. Ta an Ghaeilge lag ar an gClochán Liath. Ach tagann rud eile i gceist i gcathair na Gaillimhe. Sé sin le rá gurb iad an IDA agus Enterprise Ireland atá ag plé le cúrsaí tionsclaíochta, fiú taobh istigh de na limistéir a n-airítear mar Ghaeltachtaí taobh istigh den chathair, mar shampla, An Pháirc Mhór. Ag éirí as sin níl aon bhaint ag an Údarás le saol an phobail ann ó lá go lá. Mar sin ní raibh mórán spéis sa toghchán iontu fiú ag lucht na Gaeilge. Is léir gur tháinig lucht na Gaeilge agus na díograiseoirí amach, sin an deich faoin gcéad a tháinig amach, Ach tríd is tríd ní bhaineann an tÚdarás go laethiúil len a saol.
Thóg mise ceist, nó thóg an Rialtas ceist — bhunaigh an Rialtas coiste ar mholadh uaimse — ag iarraidh ar Enterprise Ireland, an IDA agus an tÚdarás scrúdú a dhéanamh maidir leis an gceist seo ar imeall na cathrach agus sa chathair, cé bheadh freagrach as cúrsaí tionsclaíochta. Tháinig moladh ar ais go bhfágfaí an status quomar atá. Caithfidh mé a rá go fíreannach gur rud maith é agus gur rud ar bhealach a laghdaíonn an práinn an cheist a réiteach, go vótáileann a laghad sin daoine istigh sa chathair. Is cineál, mar a deir siad sa Bhearla, self-correcting mechanism, atá an, Is é sin go bhfuil líon na vótóirí ard ach tá an tionchar atá acu ar an toghchán beag mar nach vótáileann siad. Tá sé thar a bheith suntasach i gConamara gurb iad na háiteanna is treise go raibh vótáil ná sna Gaeltachtaí láidre, áiteanna a fheiceann an pobal go bhfuil baint an-mhór ag an Údarás le saol an phobail. Sheiceáil mé i gceantar Dhúiche Sheoighe agus tá mé ag ceapadh gur tharla an rud céanna ar an dtaobh eile den chnoc i gceantar Thuar Mhic Éada. Vótáil os cionn 60 faoin gcéad den phobal ann. Bhí daoine as baile agus bhí daoine ar an liosta marbh agus mar sin is vótáil an-ard é 60 faoin gcéad. Thaispeáin sé sin ar chuma éigin go bhfuil an pattern vótála amuigh faoin dtuath i bhfad níos tréanna ar aon chaoi. Is maith an rud é sin.
Maidir le Bord na Gaeilge de, níl an Bord ann níos mó. Ta sé sin imithe agus tá an Foras Trasteorann ann. Níl baill an Fhorais ceaptha fós ach beidh sé sin á dhéanamh go fíor luath.
Ní leis an Aire Oideachais a bheimid ag plé ó thaobh cúrsaí teanga de ach le Michael McGimpsey atá ceaptha mar Aire atá freagrach as cúrsaí cultúrdha. Is faoi sin a thiocfaidh an Foras Trasteorann agus tá sé sin leagtha síos go soiléir. Bhí míthuiscint orm féin nuair a fógraíodh an rud an chéad uair caithfidh mé a rá ach soiléiríodh é dom sách scioptha. Tiocfaidh na huiscí-bhealaigh mar an gcéanna faoin Rannóg chéanna. Mar sin beidh an Roinn seo ag plé le Michael McGimpsey mar Aire. Tá mé cinnte go mbeidh plé ginearálta againn le hAirí eile ach sin an tAire go mbeimid ag plé leis ó lá go lá faoi na rudaí sin. Beidh an tAire Oideachais anseo ar ndóigh ag plé leis an Aire Oideachais ó thuaidh. Beimid ag casadh leis na hAirí ar an dtaobh ó thuaidh Dé Luain seo chugainn, an 13ú Nollaig.
Maidir le cúrsaí teilifíse de, de réir mar a thuigimse an scéal seo, baineann an cheist seo le h-údaráisí Shasana, sé sin socraítear ceisteanna mar sin ó Shasana agus ní ó Thuaisceart Éireann agus mar sin is rud é sin go gcaithfimid leanacht ag plé leis na h-údaráisí i Sasana. Ní bheidh déabhlóid ann ó thaobh smacht ar tharchuradóireacht agus mar sin de de réir mar a thuigimse an scéal agus beimid fós ag déileáil leis na h-údaráisí thall ar an gceist sin.
Maidir le deontas Labhairt na Gaeilge, is ceist spéisiúil í seo agus táimid arís ar ais ag na figiúirí ar fad atá agam ón Oifig Staidrimh. Beidh mé in ann dul ar aghaidh go scioptha leis sin. Is léir dá mba rud é gur leanadh leis an scéim sin ó thaobh airgid de go mb'fhéidir nach mbeadh mórán deacracht. Cinnte d'fhéadfadh an-deacrachtaí a bheith ann ó thaobh cúrsaí fóirne agus an scrúdú agus an seiceáil a dhéanamh. Ach cinnte ba cheart breathnú air féachaint le bealach réitithe a fháil. Níl aon amhras ó na staitisticí atá ar fáil is istigh sna Gaeltachtaí, go mór mhór na Gaeltachtaí a aithníonn an pobal mar Ghaeltachtaí, an ceantar, abraimis ó Bhearna go Cárna agus suas go Dúiche Sheoighe, ceantar Each Léim, ceantar Ceathrú Thaidhg, Curráin agus Tuar Mhic Éada. Sin iad na ceantair is mó a bhfuil daoine ag tarraingt orthu ó thaobh labhairt na Gaeilge. Agus mar an gcéanna ó thuaidh i dTír Chonaill agus ó dheas agus mar sin de. Sílim gur rud é go mbéinn sásta breathnú air féachaint cad iad na himpleachtaí a bhaineann leis.
Lua an Teachta Kenny laghdú daonra sa Ghaeltacht agus tá sé sin mar fhadhb in áiteanna agus glacaim leis sin. Sin ceann de na dúshláin go gcaithfidh an tÚdarás tabhairt faoi agus bheadh súil agam go ndíreoidís a n-aird go speisialta ar na pócaí láidre Gaeltachta a bhfuil laghdú daonra ag cur as dóibh i gcomhnaí.
Caithfidh mé a rá nach dtuigim an fhadhb maidir le pleanáil agus daoine áitiúla agus sin ceist do na húdaráis áitiúla. Nuair a bhí mise ar Chomhairle Chontae na Gaillimhe bhí casaoid faoi ach sheas an Comhairle ar fad leis an bpolasaí i gConamara, sé sin gur ag pobal na háite, nó daoine a bhí ag comhnaí go buan in áit agus ag obair san áit sin agus daoine de bhunadh na háite a bhí ag iarraidh fanacht san áit agus ag iarraidh tógáil ann a bheadh tús áite. Thabharfaí cead pleanála ó cheart do na daoine sin ach suíomh feiliúnach a bheith acu.
Ní raibh líon na n-iarratas chomh mór agus a bheadh sé dá mbeadh cead ag chuile dhuine cur isteach air. Cuireadh cosc ar thithe saoire agus rudaí mar sin agus tá an polasaí sin á fheidhmiú go daingean agus go docht. Ainneoin rudaí a deirtear níl aon amhras ann ach gur ag muintir na háite atá an buntáiste. Caithfidh contaethe eile breathnú ar sin agus ní ceist domsa í. Tá réiteach na faidhbe sin go háitiúil agus ní réiteach don rialtas lár í.
Maidir le cúrsaí pleanála go ginearálta , tá cás déanta ag an Aire Comhshaoil agus don chéad uair riamh beidh cuinsí Gaeltachta san áireamh i bpleananna chontae agus i bpleananna réigiúnacha. Tabharfaidh sé sin an-deis do dhaoine cur in aghaidh pleanáil ar bhonn an dochair a dheanfadh sé don teanga agus mar sin. Tá iarratas déanta againn sna rialacháin a thiocfaidh i ndiaidh an Bhille go mbeidh an Roinn agus/nó an tÚdarás luaite mar dhream go gcaithfí dul i gcomhairle leo maidir len a dtuairimí ar cheisteanna pleanála fé mar a théitear i gcomhairle le Dúchas anois. Sílim gur rud maith é sin.
Chuir an Teachta Kenny go leor ceisteanna sonracha maidir leis an National Gallery.
Unfortunately, I do not have all the answers to these questions in my briefing material because many of them were very specific, concerning donations and acquisitions in the past two years. It was not really the remit of this committee to have a parliamentary question session. I do not have the details of those questions here so I do not know if I will be able to help the Deputy in any way because the matter raised is not material to the items in the supplementary estimate. I will have to pass on that information, unless somebody here has it to hand.
I do not mind that, Minister.
Could you help the Deputy by giving a reply later? He illustrated the difficulty he has. He put down the question and it was disallowed.
We will get as much information as we can.
I do not expect the Minister to be able to answer all these questions now.
I would like that information also.
Yes, we will get the information. Even if the Minister was here herself, I am sure she would not have that information. The question has been asked and I understand that it was ruled out of order in the Dáil, but we will see what we can do. In general, it is much better to give information that is requested so I see no problem with that.
A number of questions were asked about the film industry, the 80% tax break and the advantages and disadvantages involved. When the 80% figure was introduced interest rates were much higher. At the moment, even though personal tax rates are being reduced, the incentive is there. I understand there is still a lot more money available than there are projects, so this should not cause any particular difficulty and should attract sufficient money to meet viable projects. My advice is that the money is available and more investors are seeking to invest in the sector than there are film projects available. Therefore, the tax incentive is generous enough. As regards tax incentives, one must ensure that one is not over generous and thus gaining nothing. If it is creating the required money for projects in the market, the tax break is generous enough. I feel that the tax reliefs are adequate for the purpose.
I was asked questions concerning Waterways Ireland and Dúchas. I was also asked other questions of which I did not take notes. We have been up for two nights counting votes and it is a change from counting sheep in the mountains. In general, two factors must be taken into account in relation to Dúchas. There has been a huge explosion of activity right across the board in Dúchas, including special areas of conservation, and it would not matter whether these issues were still being dealt with by the Office of Public Works. I compliment the staff involved on the way in which they have handled that. On the archaeology side, the quicker the economy grows the more matters are referred back to Dúchas. Therefore, there is pressure on the organisation. We have already had a five-fold increase in planning applications. One only has to examine the new national development plan to see that there will be more acceleration. The Minister is reviewing the situation. She and I are more than aware of the difficulties involved, but we must also recognise — I am talking to people who have had experience of Government — that it requires an awful lot of work to achieve rapid change within the system. It is not just a question of waving one's hand and solving problems like that.
The idea of a turf war is more myth than fact. When Dúchas was transferred to the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, there was total confusion in the public mind. One of the reasons the name Dúchas was attached to that section of the Department was to clarify its role in the public mind because there was utter confusion between the Office of Public Works and Dúchas. The accommodation problems have been solved, however, and we also have long-term proposals in that regard. In general, I have not come across any difficulty concerning the working relationship between Dúchas and the Office of Public Works. The main difficulty now is in explaining to the public the respective roles of both organisations. There may be a difficulty over a period but it is resolving itself in the public mind.
Waterways Ireland was formed on 2 December 1999 and it has responsibility for the Shannon-Erne waterway. All the waterways now under the charge of my Department, canals and so on, will be transferred to Waterways Ireland on 1 April 2000. Waterways Ireland will certainly look at the Ulster canal project referred to by the Deputy. I see the attraction of it because half of the canal is in the Republic of Ireland while the other half is in the North. It would be a good thing if it were to happen, but it is not our responsibility, rather it will be a new responsibility of the North-South body.
These joint bodies — Foras Tras-Teorainn and Waterways Ireland — present an excellent opportunity for all-Ireland activity. In the case of the foras tras-teorantas, the language is pervasive throughout the island. That is easy to understand. The waterways are physically based and there will be a particular attraction in cross Border projects, especially where the waterway straddles both sides of the Border. The project mentioned by the Deputy falls into that category, but it will be a matter for Waterways Ireland.
There will be a new national park in Ballycroy in County Mayo. That has been well received. It will fall to somebody else to go a step further.
Is there a message in what the Minister of State has said?
No. People can be slow to give things up. There could be a ten to 20 year wait.
Has a decision been made on the location of an interpretative centre? Will it be in Ballycroy village or elsewhere?
That has not been decided. We will try to get the information for the Deputy. We attended this meeting prepared for what we expected to be sharp questions on finance, but the debate has become more general.
Sometimes it is good to be thrown off balance.
We are not doing too badly. IBEC publishes a yearly analysis of film statistics which shows that the sector yields more to the Exchequer than the input from Exchequer resources. A study specifically relating to section 481 was undertaken by Indicom. It suggested that while a substantial amount of the Exchequer's outlay was recouped, it was less than the outlay. Sometimes so many studies are undertaken it is necessary to make a value judgment.
It should not be forgotten that the film industry projects the country abroad. The spin-off to the economy, in terms of the indigenous industry and films made here, is intangible and no analysis will measure it. That must be taken into consideration. We must sometimes exercise our judgment and act on it.
The previous Minister was to the fore in promoting the film industry. He took the view that the intangible, immeasurable effects of the industry were very beneficial. We are also getting a good return for our money in terms of measurable effects. However, it is hard to separate the two.
Chuir an Teachta O'Shea ceist orm faoi cheist na Gaeilge agus faoi chur chun cinn na Gaeilge ar fud na tíre. Caithfidh mé a dhéanamh soiléir i dtosach báire nach bhfaca mise tuarascáil an Institiúid Teangeolaíochta agus feicim go leor leor tuarascála ach níl am agam na tuarascála ar fad a chuirtear amach a léamh. Ní bhaineann cúrsaí oideachais liomsa. Ar an leagan amach atá ann go traidisiúnta ó thaobh cúrsaí rialtais de baineann oideachas leis an Aire Oideachais, oideachas tré Ghaeilge agus múineadh na Gaeilge san áireamh. Tá fhios ag an Aire agus tá curtha in iúl agam dó go minic an t-imní atá orm ainneoin an dul chun cinn mhór atá á dhéanamh ó thaobh cúrsaí teicneolaíochta de i múineadh na teanga — teilifís tré Ghaeilge, videoanna a bheith ar fáil i scoileanna, ríomhairí agus na rudaí íontacha eile seo.
Chonaic mé ceann íontach le gairid agus feictear domsa dá mbeadh sé sin ag gasúir nach bhféadfaidís ach Gaeilge a fhoghlaim. Ainneoin an dul chun cinn íontach sin is léir nach bhfuil go leor de ghasúir na tíre ag tabhairt an Ghaeilge leo. Ardaíonn sé sin ceisteanna ach ní ceisteanna domsa iad go príomhdha ach ceisteanna náisiúnta faoin gcur chuige atá againn ó thaobh na Gaeilge de. Rud amháin ginearálta a déarfainn mar Aire na Gaeilge agus na Gaeltachta, dream ar bith a d'fhoghlaim an Ghaeilge ó thuaidh d'fhoghlaim siad go fíor-mhaith í. B'fhéidir go bhfuil rud éigin le foghlaim againn uaidh sin agus tá mé cinnte go mbeidh comhráití an-spéisiúla idir an tAire nua Oideachais ó thuaidh agus an tAire Oideachais ó dheas i dtaobh na ceiste sin.
Chomh maith leis sin is dóigh liom go gcaithfimid a thuiscint freisin in a choinne sin, má bhíonn tú ag breathnú ar TG4, go bhfuil daoine nach Gaeilgeoirí iad ó chuile áit sa tír atá sásta agus in ann agallamh a ghéanamh tré Ghaeilge, cuid acu níos fearr ná a chéile. Tá an t-uafás daoine amuigh ansin atá in ann agallamh a dhéanamh , rud nach bhfuil éasca, do chláracha teilifíse. Tá siad in ann rudaí a rá, cur síos ar eachtraí a tharla ar fud na tíre. Mar sin tá cuid mhaith den phobal a bhfuil an Ghaeilge acu.
Maidir le tuilleadh taighde de, tá fadhbanna ann agus taighde go leor déanta ar na fadhbanna sin. Tá mé cinnte go bhfuil fhios ag chuile dhuine againn cad ba cheart a dhéanamh anois a chuirfeadh le híomhá na Gaeilge agus a chuirfeadh daoine ag labhairt na Gaeilge. B'fhearr liomsa dul agus sin a dhéanamh agus ansin, b'fhéidir an taighde a dhéanamh. Mar sílim féin dáiríre a bheag nó a mhór go bhfuil tuiscint réasúnta cruinn againn ar dhearchadh an phobail, ar eolas an phobail i leith na Gaeilge agus ar líon lucht labhartha na Gaeilge.
Maidir leis an Gaeltachtaí, ó Ghaeltacht go Gaeltacht tá fadhbanna éagsúla. Sna Gaeltachtaí beaga, ceann de na fadhbanna is mó ná daoine gan Gaeilge ag dul isteach sa Ghaeltacht. Is rud nádúrtha go dtarlódh sé sin ach is fadhb é. Ag an am céanna tá áiteanna ar nós Rinn Ua gCuanach i do dháilcheantar féin agus ar chuma éigin tá siad taréis sin a shárú tré dhíogras an phobail. Sin ceann de na háiteanna go mba cheart go mbeadh an fhadhb seo ag cur as go mór dóibh ach in a choinne sin tá sé soiléir ó na staitisticí go bhfuil go leor tuismitheoirí, cuid acu go gcaithfidh nach bhfuil mórán Gaeilge acu, ag labhairt Gaeilge len a gcuid gasúr, rud atá thar a bheith spéisiúil. Mar sin, tá meon an phobail níos tábhachtaí ná rud ar bith eile. Baineann meon phobail le go leor rudaí agus mar shampla sé mo bharúil i Maigheo go minic go mbíonn droch-mhisneach orthu i ngeall ar chúrsaí staire. Tá fós cuid de mheon an droch-shaoil i gcuid de na Gaeltachtaí i Maigheo de bharr ísliú daonra, de bharr go bhfuil siad píosa fada as baile, de bharr droch infrastruchtúr agus de bharr go leor leor rudaí. De réir mo thaithí i measc an phobail, go dtí go n-éireoidh leat misneach a thabhairt don phobal agus féin-mhuinín a thabhairt dóibh astu féin agus an creideamh a chur isteach ina gcroíthe, is cuma cad eile a dhéanann tú, ní éireoidh leis an nGaeilge. Mar sin tá ceist spreagadh a thabhairt do na pobail éagsúla fíor-thábhachtach.
Sin ceann de na fáthanna go raibh mé chomh sásta dul ar fud na tíre le h-imeachtaí Gaeilge a reachtáil go mór mhór i measc phobal beaga, le spreagadh a thabhairt dóibh go raibh spéis ag daoine sa rud a bhí ar bun acu agus le misneach a thabhairt dóibh. Tá fhios agam nuair a bhí mé féin i mbun na hoibre céanna agus nuair a bhí Airí sásta teacht go dtí an ceantar nuair a bhí halla nó páirc peile nó rud ar bith tógtha, ba mhór an spreagadh dúinn é.
Rud eile atá ag éirí i gcuid de na Gaeltachtaí agus is rud maith é — tá sé fíor i Rath Chairn, tá sé fíor méad áirithe i gCois Fharraige, feictear dom go bhfuil sé fíor i Rinn Ua gCuanach — go bhfuil daoine a bhfuil spéis sa Ghaeilge acu agus ar mhaith leo a bheith ina gcomhnaí sa Ghaeltacht, bheith ag obair tré mheán na Gaeilge, agus clann a thógáil i gcomhthéacs Gaeilge, ag bogadh isteach go dtí an Ghaeltacht. Sé sin Gaeilgeoirí ag bogadh isteach go dtí na Gaeltachtaí. Ní droch rud é sin agus b'fhéidir go dtosódh sin ag tarlú in áiteanna ar nós tuaiscirt Mhaigheo. Is fuil nua a bheadh sa phobal — daoine a bheadh an-díograiseach agus misniúil — agus b'fhéidir go gcuirfeadh sé sin le leas na Gaeilge agus le leas an phobail.
Cuireadh ceist orm maidir le foclóir Ghaeilge. Ar ndóigh, tá áthas orm a chloisteáil go bhfuil an Foras Thuaidh-Theas bunaithe agus seo de na cúraimí sonracha a bheidh ar an bhForas. Tá siúl agam anois go dtabharfaidh siad faoin obair seo go práinneach mar glacaim leis, go mór mhór ó thaobh tearmaí ríomhaireachta de — tearmaí a bhímid ag úsáid ó lá go lá san nGaeltacht — nach bhfaighfeá iad go brách na breithe in fhoclóir.
Cuireadh ceist orm faoin municipal gallery, Cearnóg Pharnell. Caithfidh an Teachta an cheist a chur ar Bhardas Átha Cliath. Ní bhaineann sé leis an Dánlann Náisiúnta; baineann sé le Bardas na cathrach. Cinnte dearfach, ní féidir linn an ceist sin a fhreagairt.