INTENSE speculation that Gaeltacht Affairs Minister ƒamon Ó Cuív is for the chop and his department is set for the axe has been described as the "death knell" for Connemara.

But Minister Ó Cuiv has inisted that this is all speculation - and he would not comment on speculation.

There are reports that the so called An Bord Snip Nua is to recommend the windirig up of two Govemment departments and the sacking of two senior and two junior ministers - including Ó Cuív.

There has been a lot of speculation in recent weeks that Minister Ó Cuív will be demoted in what is termed as a major review of Government departments.

And it has been greeted with a lot of anger and speculation that it will result in savage cuthacks to both Údarás na Gaeltachta and Roinn na Gaeltachta.

If the Gaeltacht department is axed, its responsibilities will likely be transferred to one of the remaining 13 departments with fears that its effectiveness will be dramatically reduced.

There is also some speculation that this would be "pay back time" for Ó Cuív's decision not to stand for the European Elections in the North West constituency for Fianna Fáil.

Minister O Cuív told The Connacht Tribune that the report had not been received and any threat to his department was "pure speculation" He refused to comment on the matter any further.

The reaction in Connemara this week to the possibility that the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs will face the chop was hostile. Cllr. Seosamh Ó Cuaig said that there was a perception in Dublin that the Gaeltacht area in Connemara was about the Irish language and nothing else.

"This view has not been favourable to us but if this Government department is closed down, it we are going to be completely ignored.

"It will impact greatly Qn the great work for the region being done by Údarás and Roinn na Gaeltacbta and it could signal the death knell for these two bodies.

"The bottom une is that this group recommending the public sector cuts do not see anything past Lucan. They just want to hit the weak and hit the West," Cllr. O Cuaig said.

He said that Údarás was the only rural development organisation representing the Gaeltacht areas and anything that affected their budget would be detrimental.

"While in office, Minister Ó Cuív delivered bits and pieces and failed to deliver some of the big projects like a deep sea harbour at Rossaveal or a proper road to Connemara - but to get rid of a department that directly affects the whole West of Ireland will be detrimental," Cllr O Cuaig added.

Declan Tierney Cúradh Chonnachtach 3/7/2009