It is certainly not the case that Kildare should be versus Louth or Louth versus Kildare. Both Kildare and Louth are the two key locations in the story of St. Brigid. By taking them together, there is potential for opening really exciting tourism possibilities for Ireland's Ancient East. I am glad that Deputy Ó Murchú is speaking about that here. He is talking about the potential of the two counties, rather than pitting one against the other. The two tourism agencies are, of course, open to engaging with Louth Coun…

Tuigtear dom ó Údarás na Gaeltachta go bhfuil an t-athbhreithniú ar phunann maoine na heagraíochta críochnaithe anois. Faoin athbhreithniú seo, rinneadh taighde maidir leis na féidearthachtaí a bhaineann leis an bpunann maoine sna seacht gcontae Gaeltachta. Tá an t-údarás anois i mbun cainteanna leis na cliant-chomhlachtaí atá mar thionóntaí aige maidir lena gcuid riachtanas do na blianta amach romhainn. Tá an t-údarás ag caint amach le cliaint nua atá ag iarraidh spás tráchtála a thógáil ar cíos. Is léir gur tosaí…

Tá formhór de na foirgnimh folamh ón tréimhse idir 2018 agus 2023 ach tá eisceachtaí ann freisin. Tá foirgnimh ann atá folamh le os cionn deich mbliana. Ní rud neamhghnáth é go mbeadh foirgnimh folmha ag áisíneachtaí forbartha eacnamaíochta leithéidí Údarás na Gaeltachta le punann mhaoine chomh mór is atá ag an údarás. Bíonn comhlachtaí ag teacht agus ag imeacht i gcaitheamh an ama agus go minic bíonn uasgrádú le déanamh ar fhoirgnimh sular féidir iad a chur ar an margadh arís le ligean ar cíos. Ach an oiread le ga…

Tá ráite ag an údarás go bhfuil sé ag tabhairt faoin obair chun a chinntiú go mbeidh sé in ann teacht ar réiteach dá chuid cliantchomhlachtaí reatha agus nua chomh maith lena chuid geallshealbhóirí eile, mar is cuí. Cuimsíonn an punann mhaoine an iliomad cineál foirgnimh agus tá éagsúlacht sa chaighdeán agus sa chóiriú atá ar fáil sna foirgnimh sin. Táthar ag féachaint ar na féidearthachtaí forbartha do chuid de na foirgnimh folmha atá ag an údarás, ag cur san áireamh na hacmhainní atá ar fáil leis sin a dhéanamh a…

The development of a legacy framework to sustain and build on the capacity, networks and opportunities arising from the cultural programme of Galway 2020 was a key deliverable of the overall European Capital of Culture. The Galway Culture Company has to date drawn down just over €800,000 of the €1 million allocated to the Galway 2020 legacy programme. The allocated €1 million funding has supported the three strategic objectives of the programme as follows: a sum of €191,920 supported the first strategic objective t…

There is great support there for the arts sector and details of projects funded are available on the website of Galway Culture Company. These include previous projects such as Dear PrEUdence, an art exhibition with themes around mental health, and the PULSE drums programme. Ongoing projects and open calls include an artist bursary open call that provides support for artists from or living in Galway city and county and is being run through the Galway Arts Centre. Branar, a theatre company for children, has been comm…

The Deputy raised the issue of physical infrastructure as part of the legacy. The bid book for Galway 2020, on which it was awarded the designation of 2020 European Capital of Culture, set out that any new capital infrastructure to be delivered is part of Galway's cultural strategy 2016 to 2025, Everybody Matters, which is developed and managed by the local authorities. The bid book also stated that infrastructure was not part of the European Capital of Culture project, which would rely on existing infrastructure a…

Foras na Gaeilge, an agency of the North-South language body, is charged with the promotion of the Irish language on an all-island basis. In carrying out its legislative mandate, Foras na Gaeilge provides support, advice and financial assistance to many groups who promote the language. An scéim forbartha lionraí Gaeilge is Foras na Gaeilge's multi-annual scheme to promote, protect and ingrain the Irish language among communities, with an emphasis on the development and implementation of comprehensive language plans…

As I said, more than €2.8 million has been provided to groups, North and South, under the scheme for 2022 and 2023. Now that the Northern Ireland Executive is up and running, officials in my Department will continue to work with the officials in the Department for Communities in Northern Ireland and the North-South language body, co-sponsored by my Department. I hope progress can be made with regard to the 2024 budgets, including in respect of scéim forbartha líonraí Gaeilge. As I said earlier, my Department has an…

Monaghan, in particular, is one of the strong contenders for Irish language network status. Upon achievement of that status, groups are provided with an additional financial allocation of €96,000 annually from my Department's Vote in the South and that of Foras na Gaeilge in the North. We are consulting Foras na Gaeilge and I understand Monaghan is one of the strong contenders. Structured progression has been built into the scheme, with the focus on the current stage of development of the applicant. There are three…

I warmly welcome the restoration of the Assembly and Executive. I look forward to working closely with my counterpart in the Executive and to the early convening of the North–South Ministerial Council. In fact, I have already made contact with the office of the minister, Conor Murphy, to set up a call at the earliest opportunity. The North–South Ministerial Council will play a key role in the period ahead in ensuring we make the most of shared opportunities, including supporting the all-island economy, which contin…

Tourism Ireland is one of the most successful legacies of the Good Friday Agreement. I see it in action all the time. The wonderful all-island co-operation and the promotion of the island of Ireland and the all-island economy are so good for all communities across the island. The Shannon Pot and Cavan Burren Park discovery centre project is fantastic. We were there together at its launch. The project will deliver a world-class visitor experience in the northern region of Ireland's Hidden Heartlands. There is fabulo…

I am in absolute agreement with the Deputy, and that is why I so warmly welcome the restoration of the Assembly and Executive. I am really looking forward to working with my counterpart in the Executive and to the early convening of the North–South Ministerial Council. I have made contact with the office of the minister, Conor Murphy, and am looking forward to setting up a call at the earliest opportunity. There will be amazing shared opportunities in the period ahead to ensure the all-Ireland economy is supported.…

Public service media is critical to our society, our distinct culture and language and our democracy. It requires and deserves a stable and sustainable funding model. I am strongly committed to securing a Government decision in that regard no later than the summer. There are a number of options through which this aim can be delivered. It should be noted that I have not stated that direct Exchequer funding is the only way to do it. What I have said is that, given the impact the RTÉ controversy has had on TV licence …

As I said earlier in the week in this Chamber, it will be before the summer, but the sooner the better as far as I am concerned. However, as the Deputy pointed out, the controversy has pointed to the fact that reform needs to go hand in glove with the decision on the funding model. That is why I am waiting for the two expert committee reports on culture and governance and on HR matters. They are the only reports commissioned by the Government and the only reports, since this controversy emerged at the end of June, …

Absolutely. I emphasise-----

A number of issues were raised. The Government is clear in its commitment to the reform of the TV licence. I said in recent weeks that I am certainly not fearful of making that decision ahead of the European elections. What is of paramount importance is that a decision is made. I respectfully suggest that it is certainly not Government parties that are playing politics with RTÉ. Of course there will be different views. It is certainly not the case that our coalition partners are not allowing the Green Party to do t…

With the greatest respect, I did not speak over Deputy Gould. This is to be expected with an issue of such importance. It is to be welcomed that these different views are expressed and teased out to ensure we get to the right decision. I am not afraid. I am the Minister with responsibility for media and I will take this decision and make a recommendation to the Government. There is no fear of local and European elections. What I am concerned with is the future of public service media being put on a sure footing. Th…

My Department works to support language networks right across the island of Ireland, including through the work of Foras na Gaeilge. In particular, the language planning process as set out under the Gaeltacht Act 2012 provides for the formal recognition of Gaeltacht service towns and Irish language networks as identified under the Act. Gaeltacht service towns are towns in, or adjacent to, Gaeltacht language planning areas that play a significant role in the delivery of public services and leisure, social and commer…

You do not have to be fluent in the Irish language to love our native tongue. I commend the Deputy for showing that love of the language and trying to support it here. We should never be fearful of stumbling, getting grammar wrong or forgetting our séimhiús. It is about using and promoting the language, even if it is through putting questions in English, which is fantastic. It is wonderful to see the surge in numbers of people wishing to learn the language mentioned by the Deputy. Pending the agreement of the langu…