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Ó Céilleachair notes comments of Minister Ó Cuiv that changes due to Údarás na Gaeltacht may differ from those spoken of in Bord Snip Nua Report or Government’s draft Strategy for the Irish language

Issued : Friday 27 November, 2009

The Ring/Old Parish area Board member of Údarás na Gaeltachta has said he is reserving judgement, following an assertion from Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs Minister Eamon Ó Cuiv TD that “no power will be lost” to that authority as a result of the transformation process envisaged in “Dréacht Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge 2010-2030”.

Fiachra Ó Céilleachair was reacting to Nuacht TG4’s reporting of the Minister’s comments at a press conference in Galway today. Whilst launching a study on business opportunities for Galway City in the context of the Irish language, Minister Ó Cuiv re-iterated that no decision had been taken by him as regards removal, or transfer to another authority, of the enterprise development role of Údarás na Gaeltachta.

An t-Uas. Ó Céilleachair said the Minister’s disposition is to be taken against the background of a 46 page document - as the draft Strategy is - devoting what he says is two paragraphs to structural/legislative changes due regarding Údarás na Gaeltachta. The Ring/Old Parish representative points to Section 6.4 (page 32 of the document, see http://www.pobail.ie/en/PressReleases/), where the following is stated: “New legislation will provide for fundamentally restructuring Údarás na Gaeltachta as a new national Irish language agency – Údarás na Gaeilge – with responsibility for Irish language matters throughout the state, as well as keeping many of its present functions”.

The Government commissioned McCarthy/”Bord Snip Nua” Report specifically recommends that the Údarás’s enterprise development role should be transferred to Enterprise Ireland/IDA. One national newspaper last week (see http://www.tribune.ie/news/home-news/article/2009/nov/15/shake-up-of-irish-language-bodies-proposed/) leaked a document from the Dept. of Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs, which suggested that this was the course of action in mind by the Governemt.

An t-Uas. Ó Céilleachair says:

“The Údarás, indeed, has a range of functions. I'd like to see not just "many" but "all" of its present functions maintained - if not added to. One man's "transformation" may translate as "abolition" for another, when debate has to follow what is on record. "Dréacht Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge 2010-2030”, as published and for whatever reason, does not address the enterprise functions of the Údarás in detail. If Minister Ó Cuiv is saying.however, that the “Bord Snip Nua” view is to be ditched in this respect, then I think he would be on the right track. Along with colleagues on the Board of the Údarás, I’ll be seeking further clarification from the Minister that the eminent economist Colm McCarthy has got it completely wrong on this score.”

“It remains, however, that restructuring, re-orientation and re-naming of the Údarás is on the agenda due to the publication of “Dréacht Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge 2010-2030”. The Government has committed itself to legislation in 2010 on the subject and the elections for a new Board have been postponed. The next while will prove an interesting time as regards what is in store for Údarás na Gaeltachta."

(ends)

Note to Editor:
See http://www.labour.ie/fiachra/news/1259272042249772.html