I announced my intention to establish an Irish language advisory committee in March and subsequently sought nominees to the committee from a range of relevant organisations. A number of these nominations were received only recently and a further nomination is awaited. I would hope to announce the membership of the committee in the near future and I anticipate that the first meeting of the committee will be held in early July. The chair and secretariat of the committee will be provided by my Department.
It is my intention that the committee will report to me on a regular basis and that it will address the following issues: the advisability of preparing a 20 year strategic plan with realistic goals for the Irish language in the State; the short-term strategic priorities for the preservation and the promotion of the Irish language within the State; the priorities regarding the implementation of the Official Languages Act; and the best and most practical ways to achieve progress with regard to the implementation of that work.