Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 27 Feb 2001

Vol. 531 No. 3

Written Answers. - Gaeltacht Commission.

Pádraic McCormack

Ceist:

339 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the reason all householders in the Gaeltacht area in County Galway, and in particular, householders in Moycullen-Loughwell-Newtown-Cloniffe and Tullykyne areas did not receive a circular regarding the changing of the Gaeltacht areas, as undertaken by the Gaeltacht Commission set up by the Minister; the reason there was no public meeting on the matter in Moycullen as promised when the Gaeltacht Commission was set up; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5408/01]

Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Ms Coughlan):

I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 21 of 21 February 2001. With regard to the issue of meetings, I understand from the chairman of the Gaeltacht Commission that seven public meetings were held on behalf of the commission in County Galway, not including the offshore islands. This contrasts with three such meetings in Donegal, three in Mayo and two in Kerry. I understand that meetings were also held outside of the Gaeltacht. The Galway meetings were held in the following areas: Galway city, na Forbacha, Indreabhán, an Ceathrú Rua, Tír an Fhia, Ros Muc and Carna.

I understand the commission is of the opinion that these meetings were sufficient to give the community an opportunity to put forward opinions and recommendations and that one of the aims of the commission, namely, the creation of a public debate on the future of the Irish language in the Gaeltacht, has already been achieved.