Seanad Éireann debate -
Thursday, 20 Jun 2024

Before I call Senator Cummins, as I have done on all occasions when members of the Cabinet come to the House, I take the opportunity to thank the Minister, Deputy Ryan, for being here. It is good to have a member of Cabinet here taking a Commencement matter. On my own behalf and on that of the House, I thank the Minister for his service to public life and to the State. He announced his retirement this week. You can disagree with the Minister on many things, but he is a thorough professional, a gentleman and a decent human being. He is a person I have grown to admire in my time served in a number of Oireachtais. I thank him for that. We wish him a very happy retirement and thank him.

I join the Cathaoirleach in wishing the Minister well. I wish him the very best when he retires. He is not quite there yet. There is plenty of work that needs to be done between now and the general election.

I offer my genuine thanks to the Minister being here this morning. This is a very important matter. I have been seeking information on it for some months to no avail, to be honest, which is why I have tabled this Commencement matter. I hope there will be a definitive response.

The community energy grant scheme is excellent. It funds community-oriented energy retrofit programmes across the country. It has been a tremendous success. I am aware of many excellent projects in my county of Waterford that have been delivered by way of the scheme. These deliver huge energy savings through a mixture of sustainable energy solutions. That is exactly what we want.

The Minister may correct me if I am wrong but I understand it operates on the basis of the Department issuing the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, SEAI, with a budget to fund the scheme. Local community organisations and clubs submit applications to SEAI with the assistance of project co-ordinators, usually regional energy agencies. These are assessed and then a letter of offer is issued with a percentage of the funding being provided to the groups. However, over recent months, I am aware of many organisations that have been waiting months for a decision. Those projects have ground to a halt. That is concerning and frustrating. The tracker on the SEAI website has not been updated since 24 January. Many bundles of projects are stuck in the "under evaluation" phase.

Some sports clubs will have sports capital funding which they are waiting to draw down but they cannot proceed with works because the energy component is a significant part of the overall project. The way the scheme is constructed, they cannot claim for works that have been done. They need to get approval first. There are many instances where clubs have the Department of sport breathing down their necks to know why they have not drawn down sports capital funding. It is because decisions are pending in the context of the energy component. Construction inflation is increasing all the time and this is adding to the cost. There are companies that will not stand over tenders because time has ticked away.

I am trying to get to the bottom of what is happening with this scheme. Is it the case that the Department has given the funding to the SEAI? Is the SEAI not releasing the funding to the energy agencies to allow them to give it to local community organisations? What exactly is happening? When will clubs and community organisations that have these much-needed projects ready to go with contractors be able to commence them? The scheme is excellent, but it is not acceptable that there is such a delay in allocating the resources which the Department has rightly provided.

Before the Minister replies, I echo what the Cathaoirleach said earlier. We wish the Minister well. I know he will be staying around as Minister for a while. We have had some friendly disagreements, but I always found him to be a gentleman. I wish him and his family well. I know how dedicated he is to his family.

I thank the Cathaoirleach for his very kind words. The community energy grant scheme is part of the Government’s national retrofit programme within which there is a total budget of €437.2 million this year that SEAI allocate for residential and community energy upgrade schemes to allow us to meet our climate targets. The community energy grant, CEG, scheme aims to upgrade the building stock and facilities to high standards of energy efficiency and renewable energy use. This helps to reduce fossil fuel use, energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions.

The scheme supports cross-sectoral and community-oriented partnership approaches that deliver energy savings to a range of building types including public, commercial and community buildings with a particular focus on using the projects to deliver home retrofits. Through this scheme, communities are improving the energy efficiency of shared community buildings and businesses are becoming more competitive through reduced energy costs. In addition, homes are being upgraded making them more comfortable and helping to alleviate the effects of energy poverty.

Under the CEG scheme, the project co-ordinators, including local energy agencies, make applications to SEAI for funding support. The local energy agencies or the other project co-ordinators, the applicants, do not administer the scheme on behalf of the SEAI. Instead, they make applications for grant support to the scheme which are evaluated and, if successful, they are issued with a grant offer.

Last year, the community energy grant scheme delivered 601 home energy upgrades to at least a B2 BER or better and over 290 non-residential projects. The home energy upgrades included 68 approved housing body homes and 44 energy-poor homes. There were 595 heat pumps installed. The average improvement in building energy ratings for homes was from an average of D2 to a B2 rating or better.

Funding of €45 million in capital has been allocated to the scheme this year. The community energy grant scheme has been open all year and the SEAI has been accepting and processing applications. A number of projects have already been approved with five others under evaluation and awaiting approval. Four of the applications awaiting approval were made in June 2024 with the other project application received in mid-May 2024. These projects will upgrade energy poor, private and approved housing body homes across Ireland, with typically one fifth being energy-poor homes. The non-domestic element of these projects include retail, manufacturing, sports facilities, renewable energy, community buildings and electrical vehicle charging.

The scheme guidelines were updated in recent weeks with a number of important changes introduced, including a new domestic-only strand to increase the delivery of home retrofits through scheme; changes aimed at addressing some of the key barriers to upgrading flat and apartment buildings; the introduction of 18-month contracts for some larger, more complex non-domestic projects; and facilitation of innovative delivery approaches including those aimed at aggregated retrofit delivery and increased heat pump deployment. The changes were designed to address particular challenges in upgrading our built environment and I look forward to seeing the projects supported in the year to come.

I thank the Minister for the response but there is some disconnect between what he has said in relation to the 2024 scheme and the reality on the ground. The response states that four applications that were made in June and mid-May were awaiting approval but the project tracker on the SEAI website refers to a whole bundle of applications that were made on 24 January that are awaiting a decision. That is the thrust of the question I am asking here this morning because I am aware of a sporting facility in my own city of Waterford that cannot proceed with its project because it is awaiting a decision on an energy project that it has submitted. It has not received a decision, it is now the middle of June and it cannot proceed with their sports capital drawdown in conjunction with that.

There is a disconnect between what the Minister has acutally said on the record of the House and the reality on the ground. Something is amiss somewhere and I have been trying to get to the bottom of this for the last couple of months and have not been able to. I am not questioning the Minister or the response that he has given as this is what he has been given by the officials but there is a disconnect between the reality of how the situation is. There are many community groups that are awaiting that decision and I would ask the Minister to please investigate the matter. It is different from what has been given here.

I will go back and try to check if the Senator can give me further specific details on the particular application for that sports club. My assessment from the material I am getting is that the community energy grant scheme is delivering. Two large projects have already been completed ahead of when they were expected. By mid-June, we have completed 243 homes and 68 non-domestic projects which are associated with the closing out of contracts from last year and this year. The demand for the scheme remains strong. Four contracts have been agreed to date with further projects awaiting the approval process. One of those is as the Senator says the sports club in Waterford. I presume it has not been approved yet. If the Senator can give me the specific details I will try to come back to him on that but by and large the scheme is working.

The expenditure has dramaticially increased for a lot of our retrofitting programme. The number of contractors and homes upgraded is on track. In other areas of our climate performance we need to do more and do it faster but the retrofitting sector is absolutely flying. I will check the specific details if the Senator can send them to me.

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit, an Teachta Chambers. Lá speisialta a bhí ann dó inné. Gabhaim comhghairdeas leis as a bheith ina leas-cheannaire Fhianna Fáil. We wish him well on his new appointment and he is here to take Commencement Matter number 2 in the name of Senator Sharon Keogan. The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make a statement on whether climate or weather modification operations have taken place in Irish airspace. The floor is Senator Keogan's who has four minutes.

I thank the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach. I congratulate Deputy Chambers on his elevation to deputy leader of Fianna Fáil. It is great to see him taking over in that role and I wish him every success in the growing of his party. On 3 August 2023, the European Commission published a paper on soldar radiation modification, SRM, a type of climate engineering in which sunlight is reflected back to our space to offset human caused climate changes. It states: "SRM research in the EU is limited. Some projects focusing on the implications and risks of engineering solar radiation have been supported by EU funds, focusing on the modelling of implications and the risks of engineering solar radiaton."

Have climate modification operations taken place in Irish airspace? At the moment, we have very ambitious climate targets. The Green Party, under Deputy Eamon Ryan, have missed our targets despite the high cost to the taxpayer. I want to note that the EU published this position paper a month after the US did. This strategy is being implemented in other countries and I just wanted to know what we are now doing.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach. I appreciate the kind words from both Senators and I am here to take this on behalf of the Taoiseach to whom I think the Senator submitted the item. I appreciate the Senator giving the Government the opportunity to provide an update on this matter.

Solar radiation modification, SRM, is the intentional large scale intervention in the Earth's climatic system attempting to reduce the influence of global warming. The aim of SRM is to artificially reduce the amount of solar radiation absorbed by the Earth. The latest assessment report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, IPCC, discusses solar radiation modification in volume one, chapter four. In particular, the executive summary of chapter four states: "Solar radiation mofidication could offset some of the effects of anthropogenic warming on global and regional climate but there would be substantial residual and overcompensating climate chance at the regional scale and seasonal timescale and there is low confidence in our understanding of the climate response to SRM, specifically at the regional scale."

To answer the Senator's question, Met Éireann confirms that it has not conducted any climate or weather modification programmes and it is not aware of any such activities in Irish airspace.

I thank the Minister of State. I am glad he clarified that because each and every one of us get emails daily on this particular issue. I realise there is a three-year project involving UCL researchers. Research institutions from Ireland, Finland, Germany, the UK, Italy, France, the Netherlands and Poland are taking part in it. It is called the Co-Create project. They are engaged in this issue and it is great to see European funding has been made available to investigate how to govern this radiation modification research. There is work to be done on this. There are investigations going on at this moment in time within Europe, which Ireland is very much at the forefront of, and I welcome that. I am glad the Minister of State clarified the situation in relation to our airspace.

I thank the Minister of State for coming in to discuss this all-important issue. I would like to start by congratulating him on his recent appointment and wish him the very best of luck. The Science Foundation Ireland research centre based at the University of Limerick has been responsible for scientific technological breakthroughs over many years. It has supported pharma since 2008 and pharma is one of the biggest industries in Ireland, with 67% of our exports coming from the pharma industry.

SSPC is all about knowledge and talent and there are a number of graduates of the University of Limerick there. It also works with other universities, like Trinity College, UCC, University of Galway and RCSI, in the context of research and knowledge, which is really important. This industry is heavily reliant on PhD students and it is really important that these centres are funded. They have been responsible for life-changing experiences for people in terms of life-changing medicine. They have supplied people to work with the likes of Lilly, Edwards Lifesciences, Boston Scientific, BD and Cereset. These are a sample of the companies to which its has provided employees, especially its research students. Currently, there are 150 PhD students going through the system and they will all be going to work in industry locally.

In terms of the Lero software centre, which has been there since 2005, there are 3,700 companies in Ireland in the software industry and this is worth €64.6 billion in value. That is huge money. There are 170 PhD students in the Lero software centre at present and there will be 300 more in the next intake. It supplies graduates to places like Analog, Johnson and Johnson, Jaguar, Land Rover and Dairymaster. That is a sample of some of the companies that are heavily reliant on the graduates coming from both Lero and SSPC, which are both based at the University in Limerick. My question is on the future funding being guaranteed for these centres.

I thank Senator Byrne for raising this important matter. I am taking this Commencement matter on behalf of the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Deputy O'Donovan, a county colleague of Senator Byrne.

The establishment of Science Foundation Ireland's, SFI's, research centres programme in 2012 has had a transformative economic and societal impact on Ireland and its research ecosystem. The centres programme has delivered world-leading research and innovation as well as advanced knowledge. It has created and retained employment and supported regional development and developed a pipeline of talented researchers with critical skills. The development of the centre network was set out in a national development plan in alliance with the Government's Impact 2030 research and innovation strategy.

The SFI research centre network represents over €745 million of State investment and includes two Limerick-based centres, Lero, the SFI research centre for software, and the SSPC, SFI research centre for pharmaceuticals. Both centres support the delivery excellent research talent and a significant economic societal impact locally and nationally.

In 2023, SFI developed a new research centres programme, following extensive consultation calling for applications for future centres. This programme is open to existing SFI research centres and provides access to funding, which would run from 2026 to 2033. The pre-proposal applications have been reviewed and as with all SFI programmes, a rigorous international peer review process was adhered to. I am informed by the Minister, Deputy O'Donovan, that it is not possible at this stage to make public the details of who has applied to any programme or the outcome.

I know there is a process ongoing at the moment which cannot be made public but the point I want to highlight is the significance of these two centres to the region regarding the supply of PhD students who are necessary in terms of operation of these centres. The amount of investment these students are helping to generate through the talent and knowledge they are giving to industry in the region is the point that needs to be taken back. Hopefully, we will see funding for both Lero and SSPC.

I appreciate the wider point the Senator is making in relation to the region and the importance of the two centres she referenced in the context of Limerick. I will reflect that to my colleague, the Minister, Deputy O'Donovan. I reiterate that the process is under way and that there is a need for an international peer review. It is not possible to detail the applicants or the outcome at this point, but I will reflect the points the Senator raised in the debate. I appreciate her raising the issue.

Go raibh maith agat. Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit, an Teachta Chambers, and déanaim comhghairdeas leis as ucht an post nua atá aige ina pháirtí féin. Go n-éirí leis sa ról sin.

Ba mhaith liom a rá inniu gur cheart go mbeadh cosaint ann do dhaoine an síneadh fada a úsáid agus iad ag déileáil leis an Stát nó le heagraíochtaí eile trí Ghaeilge. Tá a fhios againn go bhfuil an-tábhacht ag baint leis an síneadh fada. Tá a fhios againn freisin nach raibh an t-eolas sin ag gach éinne sa Stát ar feadh blianta anuas. Cuirim fáilte roimh an cosaint atá ann in Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021, a thugann ceart do dhaoine síneadh fada a úsáid ina ainm féin nó i logainm trí Ghaeilge. Mar is eol dúinn, muna bhfuil an síneadh fada ann, déanann sé an-difríocht don bhrí a bhaineann le focal éigin. Tá liosta curtha le chéile ag Star Translation Services de 49 focal a bhíonn brí ar leith ag baint leo ag brath ar shíneadh fada a bheith curtha nó gan a bheith curtha leo.

Níl mé chun an liosta go léir a léamh amach ach tá a fhios againn cad iad na focail ina bhfuil an-difríocht ann ar nós sean, séan, Seán; ait, áit; féar, fear; agus focail mar sin. Déanann sé an-difríocht muna bhfuil an síneadh fada ann. Cé go bhfuil cearta ag daoine anois a gcuid ainmneacha féin a úsáid leis an síneadh fada, bhí sé náireach nach raibh an chosaint sin ann le blianta anuas. Ní raibh sé de cheart ag daoine a bhfuil a ainm nó a hainm i nGaeilge 20 bliain ó shin agus iad a déileáil leis an Stát nó an ospidéal, an dochtúir nó an Roinn - pé eagraíocht a bhí ann - dá mba rud é go raibh síneadh fada ina ainm nó ina hainm, an síneadh fada sin a úsáid. Is náireach nach raibh an chosaint sin ann. Cé go bhfuil sé ann anois, níl an chosaint sin i ngach áit. Níl an chosaint ann go háirithe do dhaoine atá ag scríobh i nGaeilge nó ag scríobh fiú alt amháin i nGaeilge. Má tá siad ag líonadh isteach a gcuid ainmneacha féin nó logainm mar chuid den seoladh, tá sé ceart go leor. Ach má tá siad agus cur alt nó rud éigin mar chuid d'fhoirm iarratais nó mar sin, faoin Acht níl an chosaint sin ann dóibh an síneadh fada a úsáid ansin. Tá an chosaint sin ann ó thaobh eagraíochtaí Stáit, mar a dúirt mé - má tá tú ag déileáil leis an Roinn, le scoil, le ospidéal nó pé rud é - ach níl an chosaint ann ó thaobh eagraíochtaí príobháideacha.

Nuair atá mé ag labhairt le daoine - fiú daoine nach bhfuil Gaeilge acu - deireann siad liom nach bhfuil a fhios acu conas an síneadh fada a dhéanamh ar an ríomhaire. Tá sé thar a bheith éasca ar fad "alt gr" a úsáid chun an síneadh fada a chur ar pé litir agus tú ag úsáid an ríomhaire. An fhadhb atá ann ar an dá thaobh ná nach bhfuil an chosaint ann do dhaoine atá ag déileáil le heagraíocht príobháideacha, comhlacht nó pé rud é, agus freisin nach bhfuil a fhios ag daoine, iad siúd nach bhfuil Gaeilge acu fiú, conas an síneadh fada a úsáid agus iad ag obair ar ríomhaire. Tá mé ag iarraidh ar an Aire Stáit feachtas a chur ar bun do gach éinne ionas go mbeadh a fhios acu conas an síneadh fada a fháil ar ríomhaire agus freisin go mbeadh eolas acu ar an tábhacht a bhaineann leis an síneadh fada agus an tábhacht atá ann an ceart a bheith ag daoine an síneadh fada a úsáid.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir Ward. Tá an cheist maidir leis an síneadh fada ar cheann de phríomhghnéithe na reachtaíochta teanga leasaithe a rinne Uachtarán na hÉireann a shíniú ina dhlí ag deireadh 2021. Treisiú ar Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla, 2003 atá i gceist leis an reachtaíocht nua seo agus aithnítear go forleathan go gcuirfidh sé go mór le caighdeán na seirbhísí i nGaeilge a chuireann comhlachtaí Stáit ar fáil don phobal. Faoin Acht, tá sé i gceist líon agus caighdeán na seirbhísí poiblí a chuirtear ar fáil trí mheán na Gaeilge a fheabhsú agus a mhéadú go mór, mar aon le deiseanna suntasacha fostaíochta a chruthú dóibh siúd le hinniúlacht sa teanga. Is iad príomhspriocanna an Achta neartaithe seo ná go mbeidh 20% d'earcaigh chuig an earnáil phoiblí inniúil i nGaeilge faoi dheireadh 2030; go gcuirfear na seirbhísí poiblí uile sa Ghaeltacht agus don Ghaeltacht ar fáil trí Ghaeilge; go mbeidh gach oifig phoiblí sa Ghaeltacht ag feidhmiú trí mheán na Gaeilge; go ndéanfar plean náisiúnta um sheirbhísí poiblí Gaeilge a fhorbairt; agus go dtiocfaidh córas na gcaighdeán teanga in áit córas na scéimeanna teanga. Tá an Roinn i mbun oibre chun feidhm a thabhairt d'ailt agus d'fhorálacha uile an Achta ar bhonn céimiúil.

Ag croílár fhormhór na n-iarrachtaí faoin Acht sa tréimhse ghearr amach romhainn, beidh obair an choiste chomhairligh um sheirbhísí Gaeilge. Bunaíodh an coiste ar an 20 Meitheamh 2022 agus is ar ullmhú an chéad phlean náisiúnta um sheirbhísí poiblí Gaeilge a bhí obair an choiste dírithe go príomhúil don chéad dá bhliain chun a chinntiú go ndéanfaí é seo a réiteach agus a chur faoi bhráid an Aire Stáit, an Teachta Byrne, roimh an spriocdháta inné, rud gur cúis áthais dom a dheimhniú atá déanta. Beidh trí mhí anois ag an Aire chun an plean a chur faoi bhráid an Rialtais agus a fhoilsiú go gairid ina dhiaidh sin. Tuigim gur tháinig roinnt nithe suntasacha tríd an taighde don phlean náisiúnta sin agus go bhfuil an tAire Stáit, an Teachta Byrne, ag súil go mór le dul tríd sin go léir, mar aon le múnla agus moltaí an phlean go ginearálta, sa tréimhse ghearr amach romhainn. Tá sé mar aidhm go bhfeidhmeoidh an plean náisiúnta seo mar mhapa bóthair do chomhlachtaí poiblí agus é foilsithe ó thaobh líon agus caighdeán a gcuid seirbhísí poiblí Gaeilge a mhéadú agus a fheabhsú ar bhonn córasach. Chuige sin, táthar ag súil go mbeidh réimsí ar nós na teicneolaíochta agus córais idirghníomhacha mar phríomhghné den phlean.

Lena chois sin, tá oifigigh na Roinne ag obair i dtreo feidhm a thabhairt d'ailt 4 agus 5 den Acht teanga roimh dheireadh na bliana seo, a bhaineann go díreach le dualgais chomhlachtaí poiblí faoi scáth an Achta ó thaobh postálacha sna meáin shóisialta a fhreagairt sa teanga oifigiúil ina bhfaightear iad; ainmneacha, seoltaí agus teidil i nGaeilge a úsáid agus a thaifead i gceart, lena n-áirítear an síneadh fada agus cur in oiriúint córais TFC agus eile le glacadh lena leithéid; leagan amach foirmeacha oifigiúla; lógónna; ainmneacha comhlachtaí poiblí reachtúla nuabhunaithe le bheith i nGaeilge amháin; agus seirbhísí pobal rochtana curtha ar fáil ag tríú páirtí. Tá an síneadh fada luaite go sonrach in alt 9A(3)(b) den Acht agus luaitear "go ndéanfar úsáid an tsínte fhada sa téacs Gaeilge a éascú". Leagtar amach faoin Acht go gcaithfear treoirlínte a ullmhú agus a eisiúint chun cuidiú le comhlachtaí poiblí a gcuid oibleagáidí faoi na hailt seo a chomhlíonadh, agus tá an Roinne ag tabhairt faoin obair sin i láthair na huaire.

Mar chéad chéim, agus ó thaobh aghaidh a thabhairt ar fheidhmiú alt 9A ach go háirithe, a bhaineann le hainmneacha, seoltaí agus teidil a úsáid agus a thaifead i gceart i nGaeilge - lena n-áirítear an síneadh fada - agus chun a chinntiú go bhfuil córais TFC agus eile curtha in oiriúint le glacadh le déanamh amhlaidh, thug an Roinn Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meáin faoi phróiseas scópála le déanaí le comhlachtaí poiblí a bhfuil ionadaíocht acu ar an gcoiste chomhairligh um sheirbhísí Gaeilge. Mar thoradh air sin, tháinig roinnt iarratais chun cinn ó chomhaltaí an choiste go ndéanfaí grúpa oibre teicniúil a bhunú, comhdhéanta de chomhaltaí ar oifigigh teicneolaíochta iad, chun aghaidh a thabhairt ar na saincheisteanna teicneolaíochta a d'fhéadfadh a bheith bainteach leis an ábhar. Chuige sin, tá oifigigh na Roinne ag obair go dlúth anois leis na páirtithe leasmhara ar mhaithe le grúpa oibre teicniúil a bhunú. Tabharfaidh an grúpa oibre seo aghaidh ar pháipéar a chur le chéile ina leagfar amach dea-chleachtas don earnáil phoiblí i gcomhthéacs chur i bhfeidhm ailt 9A agus 9B den Acht leasaithe, a chlúdaíonn an síneadh fada. Mar chuid d'obair an ghrúpa seo i dtaobh alt 9A, agus mar atá sonraithe san Acht, beidh gá a chinntiú go bhfuil na córais TFC agus aon chórais eile atá in úsáid ag comhlacht poiblí ina chumarsáid leis an bpobal cumraithe ar mhodh a cheadaíonn an méid seo a leanas i nGaeilge: ainm, lena n-áirítear foirm athartha nó foirm mháthartha an ainm; seoladh; teideal, lena n-áirítear an rogha gan teideal ar bith a úsáid; agus úsáid an tsínte fhada. Mar aon leis an obair atá luaite agam cheana féin, oibreoidh an grúpa oibre teicniúil seo le hoifigigh na Roinne i leith dréachtú na dtreoirlínte sa mhéid seo. Tá an Rialtas dóchasach leis an obair seo uile go gcuirfear go mór le heispéireas Gaeilge an chustaiméara, ag cur ar chumas lucht labhartha na Gaeilge í a úsáid i ngach gné dá saol, ach go háirithe ina bplé leis an Stát.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit as an bhfreagra sin. Aontaím leis maidir le tábhacht na hoibre atá déanta ag an Rialtas agus ag an Stát ar an ábhar seo. Ag an am céanna, agus cé go bhfuil an-meas agam ar an dlí a deireann go mbeidh 20% den fhógraíocht trí Ghaeilge agus cé go bhfuilimid ag déanamh na hoibre agus ag dul ar aghaidh leis an bhfadhb seo, táimid i gcónaí ag labhairt faoi eagraíochtaí poiblí. Ba cheart go mbeimid ag labhairt faoi gach aon eagraíocht, ní hamháin eagraíochtaí an Stáit. Mar shampla, is as Dún Laoghaire mé agus nuair a bhí mé ag an ionad comhairimh i rith na dtoghchán áitiúla do Chomhairle Chontae Dhún Laoghaire-Rath an Dúin, bhí fógra ann don LEA Dún Laoghaire agus ní raibh síneadh fada air. Níl aon áit ann gur “Dun Laoghaire” an t-ainm air; an t-aon áit atá ann ná Dún Laoghaire. Má tá comhairle contae ag fágáil amach an síneadh fada sa chás sin, cad is féidir linn a dhéanamh le heagraíocht príobháideacha nó le comhlachtaí do dhaoine atá i siopaí ina gceantair féin?

Cad is féidir linn déanamh dóibh? An bhfuil muid réidh chun an feachtas sin a dhéanamh ionas go mbeidh a fhios ag gach éinne an tábhacht a bhaineann leis an síneadh fada agus conas é a úsáid freisin?

Aontaím leis an Seanadóir go bhfuil fadhbanna ann. Is é sin an fáth a bhí muid ag oibriú, mar Stát, go mbeadh Acht nua ann. Beidh na cearta teanga agus gach rud i bhfad níos fearr tríd an próiseas nua atá ann maidir leis an Acht nua. Tá struchtúr ann agus beidh treoirlínte agus coiste nua ann. Beidh an plean ag dul go dtí an Rialtas i gceann trí mhí chun an tAcht nua a chur i bhfeidhm. Mar a dúirt mé, beidh mé i dteagmháil leis an Aire Stáit, an Teachta Thomas Byrne, maidir leis an bpointe ar baineadh amach inniu agus an díospóireacht sin. Tá mé dóchasach go mbeidh gach rud maidir leis an teanga i bhfad níos fearr leis an clár Rialtais agus an tAcht nua anois.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit. Is é sin an deireadh leis an seisiún seo. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire, an Teachta Ryan, agus na Seanadóirí freisin and to the staff of the House. I thank them all for their co-operation and help. It is always very nice to have some of our more senior Ministers here. We appreciate both the Minister, Deputy Ryan, and the Minister of State, Deputy Chambers, being here this morning.