Vol. 502 No. 6
274 Mr. Farrelly asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands if she accepts the proposed report for the restructuring of the board of Údarás na Gaeltachta; her views on whether this is sufficient to meet the needs of the Gaeltacht communities and to protect the heritage of the Irish language; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8974/99]
276 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the action, if any, she will take to meet the concerns of the MSF union regarding Údarás na Gaeltachta (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8992/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 274 and 276 together.
The Government has approved a proposal submitted to it by the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands in relation to the restructuring of the Board of Údarás na Gaeltachta. The Údarás na Gaeltachta (Amendment) Bill, 1999, which will be published as soon as possible after Easter will provide for the giving of legislative effect to this and other proposals in relation to an tÚdarás. The Bill will specifically provide for an increase in the number of constituencies for the purposes of elections to Údarás na Gaeltachta and for an increase in the number of elected members of an tÚdarás. I am satisfied that the proposals in this regard will meet the demands of Gaeltacht communities for increased representation on the board of an tÚdarás and that this increased elected representation will contribute to addressing the needs of Gaeltacht communities in general and as a result to maintaining and promoting the Irish language in the Gaeltacht.
As regards membership on the board of an tÚdarás of a representative of the staff of an tÚdarás this is not being proposed in the Bill. I would also like to point out that, although Ministers have in the past appointed staff members as Ministerial nominees, Údarás na Gaeltachta did not come under the Worker Participation (State Enterprises) Act, 1977. Deputies will have the opportunity of putting forward their views on the proposals in the Bill when it comes before the Dáil.
