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Councillors agree on change to 'Irish language planning clause'
Galway County Councillors have voted to make major changes to the Irish language conditions in the planning system in the County's Gaeltacht areas.
As they had been operated since 2003, these conditions meant that certan percentages of houses in housing developments in Gaeltacht villages would have to be set aside for fluent Irish speakers. But, at their marathon
meeting last week - that Iasted deep in the small hours of Wednesday moming - the Councillors voted to drop the language conditions in areas where less than 20% of the people speak Irish. This will be based on the Census figures of 2002 and will be reviewed later in light of the Census figures for 2006.
This decision effectively means that Claregalway and official Gaeltacht pockets in areas such as Carnmore and Corrandulla will not have the language conditons in operation.
The situation in areas west of the city, that can only be described as marginal Gaeltacht's, is less clear. Moycullen may continue to be subject to the language conditions, but the Clonbur area may not have 20% of its residents Irish speaking.
There are further changes in the Gaeltacht areas that are included n the CLÁR region -areas that have had serious population decline and are regarded as underdeveloped. In these areas a broader range of people will be allowed to buy houses in developments in Gaeltacht villages irrespective of whether they can speak Irish, or not.
These categories include
The language conditions, with percentages of houses in developments in villages allocated to Irish speakers only, commensurate with the number of Irish speakers in that locality, will remain in operation along the coastline from Barna west to an Cheathrú Rua.
The Connemara Councillors think these areas could have more pressures from builders as they are close to Galway.
The Chairman of the Connemara Group of County Councillors, Seán Ó Tuairisg, told the Council meeting that the details had been discussed with Planning Director Paul
Ridge on Tuesday moming and that the Connemara Councillors had come to a consensus on the issue, after a number of meetings.
He said he believed it was a fair and reasonable agreement that would protect the Irish language and, at the same time, give areas in decline a chance to get in people who would create employment and economic activity.
The changes were proposed by Councillor Ó Tuairisg and seconded by Councillor Séamus Walsh.
Councillor Seosamh Ó Cuaig said that it would he totally wrong to suggest that the councillors were removing the Irish language conditions from the County Plan. "We are changing them and we think it will aIl work better like this,"
Councillor Ó Cuaig said. "0f course, these planning conditions and the fostering of the Irish language will be an issue at all reviews of the County Plan. It has to be in an ever-changing world."
Councillor Ó Cuaig said that they would be pushing to have Galway County Council actively rnvolved in ensuring that there were classes and other supports for Irish language activities in the marginal Gaeltacht areas. "We need to keep the language to the forefront in the weak Gaeltacht areas, even though it looks a losing battle sometimes," Clir.Ó Cuaig said.
As regards the CLAR Gaeltacht areas, Councillor Ó Cuaig said they were facing two challenges: to keep the communities alive and to maintain the strength of the Irish language. "It is like trying to square a circle," Clir. Ó Cuaig said, "but the Connemara Councillors have made an honest and measured effort to make some headways."
Councillor Dermot Connolly of Sinn Féin said that some concerns about the changes had been brought to his attention but he did not elaborate. He said that the fostering of the Irish language and culture were important issues.
The changes to the Irish language planning conditions and clauses were agreed unanimously.
MAIRTÍN Ó CATHAIN Cúradh Chonnachtach 4/8/2006  Baile |