Irish Language.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 December 2006

Wednesday, 13 December 2006

Ceisteanna (32)

Pat Carey

Ceist:

49 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he has received submissions from Conradh na Gaeilge on the draft regulations in relation to signage, stationery and public announcements under section 9 of the Official Languages Act 2003; and his views on whether these regulations will have an essential role in making the Irish language easily available in a customer friendly way to Irish speakers in the State’s capital city. [42644/06]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Éamon Ó Cuív)

As I have already indicated on the record of the House, these regulations have been published and laid before each House of the Oireachtas in draft form. This was in order to give Deputies and Senators the opportunity to debate the draft regulations and to make suggestions for amendments, if they so wish, before I sign them.

The measures proposed in the draft regulations would make the Irish language more easily available in a measured way to Irish speakers throughout the State.

I had the opportunity to debate the draft regulations at the Committee Stage on 29 November 2006 and again today. As I indicated at the Joint Committee today, the debate on the draft regulations has been very useful and I welcome the contributions made by the participants. I will consider all the points made and I intend to make a further announcement in relation to these draft regulations in due course.