2026-03-03

Tairgim: Go ndéanann Dáil Éireann: a thabhairt dá haire, le himní: — go bhfuil an chaoi nach féidir le daoine teach dá gcuid féin a fháil ar cíos, a cheannach, ná a thógáil sa Ghaeltacht, ina chúinse mór ag brú oibrithe agus teaghlaigh a bhfuil Gaeilge acu amach as an gceantar, rud a dhéanann dochar d'iarrachtaí pleanála teanga agus d'infheistíocht shuntasach an Stáit trí inmharthanacht na bpobal a chur i mbaol; — go bhfuil céatadán na gcainteoirí laethúla Gaeilge lasmuigh den chóras oideachais i gceantair Ghaeltachta tar éis titim le dhá Dhaonáireamh i ndiaidh a chéile, agus gur thug an Staidéar Cuimsitheach Teangeolaíoch ar Úsáid na Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht rabhadh go bhfaigheadh an Ghaeilge bás mar phríomhtheanga an phobail fiú sna ceantair is láidre Gaeltachta gan gníomh suntasach; — gur aithníodh le sonraí de chuid Pobal a scrúdaíodh i bpróifíl socheacnamaíochta ar na ceantair Ghaeltachta sa bhliain 2018 go bhfuil 26.9 faoin gcéad de chónaitheoirí Gaeltachta sna catagóirí "Faoi Mhíbhuntáiste" nó "Faoi Mhíbhuntáiste Mór", rud a chuireann isteach ar bhealach diúltach ar a n-ábaltacht íoc as teach; — gur teach saoire teach amháin as gach cúig theach sna ceantair Ghaeltachta, agus go ndeachaigh líon na dtithe iomlána a bhí ar fáil ar léas gearrthéarmach ar Airbnb in airde de 88 faoin gcéad ó 2019 go dtí 2025, i gcomparáid le hardú 48 faoin gcéad fud fad an Stáit; — nach raibh ach 10 dteach ar fáil ar chíos fadtéarmach ar Daft.ie sa Ghaeltacht in 2024 fad is a bhí 1,017 dteach liostáilte ar chíos gearrthéarmach ar Airbnb; — go bhfuil smacht ag cúig thiarna talún ar 217 réadmhaoin Gaeltachta atá liostáilte ar Airbnb, agus go bhfuil 53 réadmhaoin liostáilte ag an tiarna talún is mó acu, comhlacht Briotanach; — go ndéanann an easpa infreastruchtúir, go háirithe uisce agus séarachais, agus neamhaird ón Rialtas agus ó chomhlachtaí poiblí ar nós Uisce Éireann, bac a chur roimh an gcumas tithíocht a sheachadadh i bpobail Ghaeltachta; — gur aithníodh easpa inacmhainneachta na dtithe sa Ghaeltacht, an easpa seirbhísí chun forbairt na scéimeanna tithíochta a éascú ar an scála cuí, an easpa láithreán atá ar fáil, agus srianta ar thithíocht tuaithe mar phríomhfhórsaí atá ag cur brú ar phobail Ghaeltachta i ráiteas comónta a rinne Príomhfheidhmeannaigh de chuid Chomhairle Cathrach agus Contae Phort Láirge agus Chomhairlí Contae Chorcaí, Chiarraí agus na Mí inar lorg siad soiléiriú ón Aire Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitiúil agus Oidhreachta; — go raibh ar phobail Ghaeltachta cásanna a chur faoi bhráid na cúirte chun a chruthú go raibh neamhaird á déanamh ag údaráis áitiúla ar dhualgais i leith na Gaeltachta faoin reachtaíocht pleanála; — gur thug pleanálaithe de chuid údarás áitiúil amháin atá freagrach as ceantar Gaeltachta, Comhairle Cathrach na Gaillimhe, le fios do Choiste Oireachtais nár shíl siad go raibh feidhm ag na dualgais seo ina leith; — go gcuirtear tréith theangeolaíoch agus inmharthanacht an phobail Gaeltachta i mbaol níos mó nuair atá seilbh nó úinéireacht glactha ag daoine gan Ghaeilge ar eastáit tithíochta ar scála mór, ar thithe saoire agus ar léasanna gearrthéarmacha sa Ghaeltacht; agus — céad bliain tar éis thuarascáil Choimisiún na Gaeltachta 1926, nach bhfuil na moltaí curtha i bhfeidhm go fóill a bhain le daoine atá inniúil sa Ghaeilge a chur in áit oifigigh gan Ghaeilge sna ceantair Ghaeltachta chun seirbhísí poiblí a sholáthar; cáineadh ar an méid seo a leanas: — tar éis ceithre bliana de gheallúintí go bhfoilseofaí go luath na treoirlínte pleanála do na ceantair Ghaeltachta, agus spriocdháta i ndiaidh spriocdháta a bheith imithe in éag, gur lean an tAire Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail, agus Gaeltachta de na geallúintí go seachadófaí treoirlínte nach raibh indéanta a thuilleadh tar éis an chumhacht a bhí tugtha ina leith sin ag an dlí a bheith scriosta; — an neamhaird atá tugtha ag an Rialtas ar thuarascáil an Chomhchoiste Oireachtais Gaeilge, Gaeltachta agus Phobal Labhartha na Gaeilge ar Thithíocht agus Cúrsaí Pleanála sa Ghaeltacht agus na Treoirlínte Nua a Bhaineann Leo ina raibh 22 mholadh aontaithe ar bhonn traspháirtí sa bhliain 2022; — nach bhfuil gníomh ar bith beartaithe go dtí go bhfoilseofar ráiteas pleanála náisiúnta don Ghaeltacht sa bhliain 2027 in ainneoin na práinne a bhaineann leis an ngéarchéim; — nach bhfuil dul chun cinn ar bith tar éis tarlú sa Dáil ón 14ú Bealtaine 2025 leis an mBille chun toghcháin dhaonlathacha a thabhairt ar ais d'Údarás na Gaeltachta, rud a bhí ar cheann d'éachtaí lárnacha ghluaiseacht chearta sibhialta na Gaeltachta, rud ar chuir Fianna Fáil ar fionraí agus ar scrios Fine Gael é, agus go dteipeann ar an mBille cumhachtaí a bhronnadh ar an Údarás chun dul i ngleic le géarchéim thithíochta na Gaeltachta; — an tearcmhaoiniú atá déanta ag rialtais i ndiaidh a chéile ar Údarás na Gaeltachta i gcomparáid le forais forbartha eile an Stáit, agus an chomparáid idir maoiniú caipitil na Gníomhaireachta Forbartha Tionscail agus Údarás na Gaeltachta tar éis fás ó 3:1 sa bhliain 2009 go dtí 11:1 in 2022; an mhoill atá curtha leis an ngeallúint chun rialáil a dhéanamh ar an earnáil cíosa ghearrthéarmach; — oifigigh agus eagraíochtaí pleanála teanga a bheith fágtha ag deileáil le "mearbhall agus frustrachas" mar thoradh ar chóras lochtach, dar le hathbhreithniú ar phleananna teanga a foilsíodh le déanaí, athbhreithniú a cáineadh go mór ann féin toisc míchruinnis; agus — in ainneoin geallúint go ndéanfar caighdeáin teanga nua a chur in áit na scéimeanna teanga reatha do sheirbhísí poiblí, gur scriosadh na scéimeanna reatha gan aon rud a bheith tagtha i gcomharbas orthu, rud a chuir cearta teanga siar 22 bliain; tréaslú leo seo a leanas: — grúpaí feachtais, lena n-áirítear Bánú, Todhchaí na Tuaithe, Tinteán, Conradh na Gaeilge, CATU, agus Inside Airbnb, leis na meáin, lena n-áirítear The Ditch, TG4, Tuairisc.ie agus Raidió na Gaeltachta, agus le pobail áitiúla a bhain úsáid as na cúirteanna, chun an fhírinne atá leagtha amach sa tairiscint seo a nochtadh; agus — oifigigh pleanála teanga a leanann d'obair na gcapall a dhéanamh chun an Ghaeilge a chur ar ais in úsáid níos forleithne sna pobail Ghaeltachta in ainneoin na heaspa tacaíochta ón Stát; agus a éileamh ar an Rialtas: — Ráiteas Pleanála Náisiúnta láidir a fhoilsiú agus a chur i bhfeidhm láithreach don Ghaeltacht; — Scéim Deontais don Tithíocht Ghaeltachta a thabhairt ar ais de réir Achtanna na dTithe (Gaeltacht); — polasaí 10 bpointe Shinn Féin don Tithíocht Gaeltachta, Ag Pleanáil don Athchóiriú, a chur i bhfeidhm, lena n-áirítear measúnuithe tionchair teanga ar thograí molta, B2+ faoin gComhchreat Tagartha Eorpach um Theangacha a shocrú mar chaighdeán náisiúnta inniúlachta i gcomhair coinníollacha teanga, machnamh a dhéanamh ar réadmhaoin a cheannach agus clásail aisghlámtha chun soláthar na tithíochta Gaeltachta a chinntiú nuair a imíonn feidhm coinníollacha teanga in éag, aitheantas do phatrúin lonnaíochta na Gaeltachta, pleanáil fáis daonra agus anailís shochtheangeolaíoch, pleanáil teanga a lárnú sa phleanáil forbartha, tithe sóisialta agus inacmhainne a sholáthar do Ghaeilgeoirí, Scéim Labhairt na Gaeilge a athbhunú, bonneagar, fostaíocht agus teacht aniar aeráide a phleanáil, agus rannpháirtíocht, monatóireacht agus freagracht a chinntiú; — spriocanna uaillmhianacha agus indéanta don fhás daonra agus soláthar tithíochta a shocrú do gach limistéar pleanála teanga Gaeltachta, lena n-áirítear don mheascán cuí de thithe aon uaire nua, tithe tréigthe agus folmha athchóirithe, agus tithe nua nó athchóirithe i ngráigeanna tuaithe, bunaithe ar anailís shochtheangeolaíoch ar phobail Ghaeltachta agus treochtaí deimeagrafacha; — tithíocht a sheachadadh bunaithe ar éileamh a thuar ar bhonn coinníollacha teanga ar gá iad a chur i bhfeidhm go seasta, lena n-áirítear tríd an bpraghas a ísliú más gá chun inacmhainneacht na dtithe atá curtha ar leataobh do Ghaeilgeoirí a chinntiú; — a chinntiú go gcuirfear fáilte Uí Cheallaigh roimh eisimircigh atá ag filleadh agus a léiríonn tiomantas i dtreo páirt a ghlacadh go gníomhach sa phobal Gaeltachta agus in áiseanna Gaeilge, trí thabhairt faoin nGaeilge a fhoghlaim nó faoin gclann a chur chuig scoileanna lánGhaeilge áitiúla mar shampla, agus gur chóir go dtabharfar a dtiomantas san áireamh in aon mheasúnú tionchair teanga; — díolúine ón dleacht stampa a thabhairt do dhíolachán an dara teach i gceantar Gaeltachta má dhíoltar mar theach teaghlaigh do Ghaeilgeoirí, do chónaitheoirí Gaeltachta, nó d'eagrais ar nós Údarás na Gaeltachta nó comhlacht ceadaithe tithíochta ar mhaithe le cur ar fáil ar cíos do Ghaeilgeoirí ar an liosta tithíochta áitiúil; — scéim ar leith a fhorbairt d'údaráis áitiúla agus do chomhlachtaí poiblí chun dlús a chur leis an infreastruchtúr uisce agus séarachais a thógáil atá ag teastáil ó phobail Ghaeltachta; — maoiniú d'Údarás na Gaeltachta a ardú go suntasach mar atá leagtha amach i gcáinaisnéis mhalartach Shinn Féin do 2026 agus na cumhachtaí riachtanacha a chur ar fáil dó chomh maith le toghcháin dhaonlathacha athuair chun deis a thabhairt do phobail Ghaeltachta soláthar cuí ar thithíocht áitiúil a mhúnlú; — dréacht den ráiteas beartais pleanála do léasanna gearrthéarmacha a fhoilsiú le práinn agus am a thabhairt don Choiste Oireachtas Tithíochta chun an dréacht a scrúdú agus éisteacht a thabhairt mar chuid den scrúdú sin d'eagraíochtaí a dhéanann ionadaíocht thar ceann phobail Ghaeltachta a mbeidh tionchar aige orthu; agus — forbairt a dhéanamh ar thacaíocht bhreise nó amchlár níos giorra roimh cheadúnas d'fhorbairtí nuair atá cosúlacht ann go mbeidh dea-thionchar acu ar an bpobal Gaeltachta. Tá rún ríthábhachtach os ár gcomhair anocht. Measaim go bhfuil sé tábhachtach go ndéanfar plé ceart air. Fáiltím roimh an gcinneadh a ghlac an Rialtas gan cur i gcoinne an rúin thábhachtaigh seo. Ní leor sin. Muna bhfuil an Rialtas ag cur ina choinne, caithfidh sé gníomhú dá réir agus caithfidh sé glacadh leis an gcáineadh sa rún seo ar an easpa oibre atá déanta go dtí seo. Bhí léirsiú lasmuigh um thráthnóna ó ghrúpaí difriúla: BÁNÚ, Tinteán agus daoine eile nach iad. Bhí roinnt Teachtaí Dála ó pháirtithe difriúla ina measc, mo pháirtí féin san áireamh, ag tacú leo mar tá aitheantas ann - Éire gan Ghaeltacht, Éire gan anam - go bhfuil an Ghaeltacht chomh tábhachtach sin. Táimid ag caint anseo inniu 100 bliain ó tugadh aitheantas oifigiúil don Ghaeltacht. Ceann de na jabanna a bhí ann nuair a bunaíodh an Stát nua ná chun oibriú amach cad é agus cad é an leagan amach a bheadh ag an nGaeltacht. Bunaíodh Coimisiún na Gaeltachta agus rinne sé daonáireamh speisialta. Tá sé an-spéisiúil torthaí an daonáirimh sin a léamh. Bhí sé déanta ag An nGarda Síochána ag an am toisc go raibh an tír chomh corraitheach fós tar éis an Chogaidh Chathartha. Ní hamháin gur dhein siad taighde ar cé mhéad Gaeilgeoir a bhí ann, ach rinne siad taighde ar cé mhéad bó, capall agus uan a bhí ann. Is taighde an-tábhachtach é mar leag sé amach líon na nGaeilgeoirí a bhí i gceantair dhifriúla timpeall na tíre agus i gcontaetha difriúla. Tá sé fós ann. Níl na mionsonraí fós ar fáil go bhfios dúinn, ach b’fhéidir go bhfuil siad i bpoll éigin ag duine éigin in áit éigin. Bheidís an-spéisiúil dóibh siúd atá ag déanamh staidéir ar an nGaeilge agus ar an nGaeltacht. Céad bliain tar éis an choimisiúin sin, táimid fós ag déileáil le heaspa cur chuige ó thaobh cosaint a dhéanamh ar an nGaeltacht, ó thaobh easpa aitheantais ar na cearta teanga atá acu siúd sa Ghaeltacht agus lasmuigh di, áit nach raibh seirbhísí ar fáil dóibh siúd ón Státchóras. Bhí orthu Gluaiseacht Chearta Sibhialta na Gaeltachta a bhunú beagnach 50 bliain ó shin chun iarracht a dhéanamh na cearta a bhí ag dul dóibh agus do phobal na Gaeltachta a fháil. Fós féin, táimid ag an staid chéanna nach bhfuil an cur chuige ceart ann ó thaobh an Stáit de i leith na Gaeltachta. Is cás ar leith atá ann. Ar deireadh thiar thall, sin atáimid ag caint faoi. Is seoid ar leith í an Ghaeltacht. Is an bunchlár ó thaobh na Gaeilge atá ann, áit a bhfuil an Ghaeilge fós á húsáid go laethúil ag an ngnáthphobal sa cheantar sin. Má ghlacaimid leis sin, ba chóir go ndéanfar gníomhartha eisceachtúla chun a chinntiú go bhfuil an chosaint sin ann. Sa chás seo, táimid ag caint faoi cheist na tithíochta. Is féidir dul trí na fáthanna ar fad - déanfaidh na Teachtaí eile é sin - gur gá é sin. Is féidir dul sa bhreis ar an líon cosaintí atá ann don Ghaeilge. Is féidir dul chun tosaigh ar líon na ndeontas atá ar fáil don chuid eile den tír. Is féidir leis an Stát a ladar a chur isteach chun eisceachtaí a dhéanamh, chun ciste eisceachtúil a chur ar bun chun díriú isteach ar cheist an infreastruchtúir, ceist an tséarachais, an easpa bóithre agus uisce i gceantair áirithe, an gá le cosaint a dhéanamh ar an stíl lonnaithe atá sa Ghaeltacht, áit a mbíonn clusters timpeall ar thithe, nó i gceantair eile go mbíonn na tithe tógtha ar thaobh an bhóthair agus nach sráidbhaile sa ghnáthbhealach sa chuid den tír a bhíonn i gceist go minic ach go mbíonn an daonra ann. Bíonn na scoileanna ann agus gnéithe eile den tsochaí sa cheantar, ach fós níl aitheantas cuí ann. Tá sé leagtha síos againn sa rún seo an gá gur cóir dúinn a chinntiú go mbeadh spriocanna uaillmhianacha agus indéanta don fhás daonra leagtha síos. Níl siad sin ann. Níl sé leagtha síos go díreach cé mhéid duine ar chóir a bheith ann. Ní féidir le gnáthphobal na Gaeltachta teach a cheannach nó a fháil ar cíos mar ní ann do na tithe a thuilleadh toisc na rachmasaithe agus iad siúd atá gaolta le tiarnaí talún agus atá i seilbhe na dtithe. Tá Airbnb ann seachas áiteanna gur féidir a fháil ar cíos nó a cheannach. Ní féidir le gnáthphobal na Gaeltachta maireachtáil sa Ghaeltacht a thuilleadh. Tá na cinntí atá á nglacadh ag an Rialtas ag brú an ghnáthphobal as an nGaeltacht agus caithfidh sé sin stopadh. Tá sé go maith go bhfuil an Rialtas ag glacadh na cinntí seo ach, mar a dúirt mé, is gá dó gníomhú dá réir.

Tearmann agus tobar na nGael: is é sin an cur síos is fearr atá agam ar ár gceantair Ghaeltachta. Is tearmann iad i gcomhar ár dteanga, ár gcultúr dúchais, ach chomh maith leis sin, is tobar as ar féidir le gach uile duine in Éirinn agus gach Gael ar fud an domhain, saibhreas an teanga a fháil agus é a bheith roinnte agus dáilte ina measc. Tá na pobail Ghaeltachta gann ar pháistí chun scoileanna áitiúla a choimeád ar oscailt agus cumainn spóirt - clubanna Chumann Lúthchleas Gael agus uile - a choimeád beo. Tá siad gann chomh maith ar chlanna óga ag teacht tríd agus ag tógaint an chéad ghlúin eile de Gael Ghaeltachta na hÉireann. Le deich mbliana anuas, tógadh díreach 1,200 teach sna pobail Ghaeltachta ina iomlán. Tógadh 36 teach i mo cheantar féin i nGaeltacht na nDéise le deich mbliana anuas. Sin idir trí agus ceithre theach sa bhliain agus ní leor sin. Níl sé sin inbhuanaithe in aon phobal, ach go háirithe i bpobal teanga den tsaghas seo. Faoi láthair, tá daoine óga ag bogadh go dtí áiteanna eile agus tá líon na gcainteoirí laethúla Gaeilge ag laghdú in an-chuid Gaeltachtaí. Fiú sna ceantair Ghaeltachta ina bhfuil fás tagtha ar líon na gcainteoirí laethúla Gaelainne, tá easpa tithíochta ag cur srian ar an bhfás sin agus ag cur todhchaí na Gaeltachta i mbaol. In ainneoin an dea-oibre agus an dea-infheistíochta atá déanta ag comharchumainn, ag comhlachtaí forbartha agus ag oifigigh pleanála teanga, cén mhaitheas na milliúin a bheith á gcaitheamh inár gceantair Ghaeltachta ar phleananna teanga muna bhfuil an chéad ghlúin eile chun a bheith ann ar an bhfód? Ach is é seo an áit ina bhfuilimid. Tá géarchéim thromchúiseach tithíochta ag cur Gaeltachtaí i mbaol. Tá an ghéarchéim tithíochta atá ar fud an Stáit faoi chúram an Aire agus faoi chúram Fhine Gael, Fhianna Fáil agus na dTeachtaí neamhspleácha ag cur pobail ar fud fad na tíre i gcruachás ach tá sé ag déanamh dochair agus ag cur todhchaí na Gaeltachta i mbaol. Tá Gaeltacht na nDéise faoi bhrú ach tá gach ceantar Gaeltachta faoin mbrú céanna. Táimid ag caint faoi phobail bheaga sa Rinn agus sa Seanphobal, i Ráth Chairn, i mBaile an Fheirtéirigh, in Indreabhán agus i nGaoth Dobhair, áiteanna a bhfuil an Ghaeilge mar theanga pobail fós. Mar a dúirt me, an tearmann agus an tobar. Ach gan tithíocht inacmhainne do mhuintir na háite ní féidir leis na pobail seo maireachtáil. Nuair atá moill ar thithe sóisialta a fhorbairt, tá na pobail seo i mbaol. Tuigeann na daoine áitiúla go maith nár leor an tacaíocht ón Stát agus is léir go bhfuil Gael óga, na páistí óga sna ceantair seo, á dtógáil le haghaidh easpórtála. I mo cheantar féin, tá siad ag dul go dtí Mainistir na Corann, Cluain Meala, cathair Phoirt Láirge, Baile Átha Cliath nó níos faide i gcéin thar lear de bharr easpa tithe sóisialta agus inacmhainne, córas pleanála nach n-aithníonn na riachtanais shóisialta agus teanga atá ag ceantair Ghaeltachta, agus teip iomlán an Aire agus an Rialtais na treoirlínte pleanála Gaeltachta a fhoilsiú thar na mbliana. Tá géarghá anois don Aire agus don Rialtas beart de réir briathair a dhéanamh. Má táimid dáiríre mar gheall ar ár gceantair Ghaeltachta a choimeád agus a bheith againn mar thearmann agus mar thobar mar a luaigh mé, tá géarghá dul i ngleic leis an ngéarchéim tithíochta anois. Is gá cumhachtaí sa bhreis a thabhairt d’Údarás na Gaeltachta agus plean a chur le chéile ionas go bhfuil gach Ranna agus gach Aire ag obair as lámha a chéile chun dul i ngleic leis sin. Tá an fhreagracht leis an Aire agus impím air beart de réir a bhriathair agus gníomhú anois.

Is maith an rud é go raibh ráitis againn inniu maidir le Seachtain na Gaeilge agus is maith an rud é go mbíonn díospóireacht chuile bhliain againn sa Seomra seo mar gheall ar chúrsaí Gaeilge. Is maith an rud é ach muna bhfuil gníomh ann théis sin agus muna ndéantar dada chun cabhrú le muintir na Gaeltachta fanacht sa Ghaeltacht agus a theaghlaigh a thógáil sa Ghaeltacht, céard is fiú é? Is fiú faic é. Tá a fhios againn go bhfuil líon na gcainteoirí laethúla ag laghdú chuile bhliain. Tá a fhios againn ó ghrúpaí feachtasaíochta cosúil le BÁNÚ nach bhfuil daoine óga in ann fanacht sa cheantar inar tógadh iad mar gheall ar easpa tithíochta. Tá trí bhunrud ann i mo thuairimse agus deirim seo i gcónaí. Ní féidir teach a thógáil, ní féidir teach a cheannach agus ní féidir teach a fháil ar cíos sa Ghaeltacht. Tá sé seo fíor i gConamara agus táim cinnte go bhfuil sé díreach mar an gcéanna i gceantair eile. Mar gheall air sin, thosaigh an grúpa feachtasaíochta BÁNÚ mar go raibh tuiscint aige go raibh géarghá le maoiniú agus le suim ón Stát i gcúrsaí tithíochta sa Ghaeltacht. Céard atá déanta ag an Rialtas seo? Breathnaímid ar céard atá déanta ag an Aire mar Aire tithíochta. An chéad rud a rinne sé ná go bhfuair sé réidh leis na dréacht-threoirlínte pleanála Gaeltachta a bhí geallta dúinn le blianta. Bhí muid i gcónaí á ardú sa Seomra seo go raibh na dréacht-threoirlínte pleanála Gaeltachta ag teastáil agus go raibh sé fíorthábhachtach go mbeadh guth an phobail ann mar cuid díobh sin. Seachas sin, tá ráiteas náisiúnta pleanála againn. Céard atá ann? Níl a fhios againn ach tá a fhios againn nach mbeidh sé againn go dtí 2027, cé go bhfuil muid ag fanacht leis na dréacht-threoirlínte pleanála Gaeltachta ar feadh na mblianta. Má bhreathnaímid ansin ar theach a cheannach, teach shóisialta a fháil, nó b’fhéidir teach ar phraghas réasúnta a fháil, rud nach féidir a fháil sa Stát seo, i gConamara, níl suíomhanna leis na seirbhísí ann. Níl an Rialtas seo ná na rialtais roimhe tar éis infheistíocht a dhéanamh sa bhuninfreastruchtúr ionas go mbeadh suíomhanna ann leis na seirbhísí iontu le go bhféadfaí tithe a thógáil. Ag tagairt do shuíomhanna ón gcomhairle contae atá mé agus níl siad ann. Mar gheall air sin, ní féidir tithe ar phraghas réasúnta nó tithe sóisialta a chur ar fáil don phobal Gaeltachta, don pobal Gaeltachta atá ann cheana nó iad siúd atá ag iarraidh bogadh abhaile. Fuair mé freagra ón Aire go raibh an Roinn tar éis glacadh leis na moltaí a bhí ag Comhairle Contae na Gaillimhe maidir leis na tithe i Ros an Mhíl agus in Eanach Mheáin. Níl a fhios againn go díreach céard a bhéas ann ach tá súil agam go mbeidh an Roinn ag cur an maoiniú ar fáil ionas go mbeadh na tithe sin curtha ar fáil don phobal áitiúil. Má bhreathnaímid ar na tithe atá le fáil ar cíos, feicfimid nach féidir bogadh go Conamara agus teach a fháil ar cíos. Tá sé dodhéanta. Tá sé dodhéanta é sin a dhéanamh agus fiú más féidir teach a fháil ar cíos tá sé ar phraghas uafásach ard nach féidir le daoine íoc as. Caithfimid breathnú ar an deacracht nó an ghéarchéim tithíochta sa Stát ina iomláine ach chomh maith leis sin caithfimid díriú ar an ngéarchéim tithíochta sa Ghaeltacht. Caithfidh an tAire gníomh a dhéanamh air sin.

Má tá an Ghaeilge le teacht slán, caithfear na Gaeltachtaí a chaomhnú. Níl aon Ghaeilge gan na Gaeltachtaí mar is iad tobar agus todhchaí na teanga. Tá an méid seo aitheanta ag saineolaithe le fada an lá ach tá na Gaeltachtaí leochaileach agus tá treochtaí trioblóideacha le tabhairt faoi deara. Thit líon na gcainteoirí laethúla Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht ó 21.4% in 2016 go dtí 19.7% in 2022, agus níl ach tuairim is 15% de theaghlaigh Ghaeltachta ag tógáil a gcuid páistí le Gaeilge. Ag éisteacht leis na figiúirí duairce seo, bheadh tú ag déanamh iontais maidir le cén fáth go bhfuil siad chomh híseal. An é nach bhfuil suim ag muintir na Gaeltachta ina dteanga féin a thuilleadh? Ní hé sin é in aon chor. Tá muintir na Gaeltachta tar éis seasamh suas le roinnt blianta anuas le cur in iúl nach féidir leo áit chónaithe a fháil sa Ghaeltacht. Ba mhaith leo a gclainne a thógáil le Gaeilge ach níl an dara rogha acu ach imeacht agus a gceantair dhúchais a fhágáil mar nach féidir leo teach a thógáil, a cheannach nó fiú a fháil ar cíos. Fiú agus tuiscint ag an Rialtas ar an méid seo agus teachtaireacht shoiléir á tabhairt ag leithéidí Tinteán agus BÁNÚ, tá an Rialtas fós sásta suí siar agus ligean don Gaeltachta dul i léig; mo náire é. Níl plean ná fís ag an Rialtas seo chun dul i ngleic leis na fadhbanna córasacha. Níl aon phráinn le brath ón Rialtas. Teastaíonn athrú ón mbarr anuas. Mar shampla, níl aon socrú go fóill maidir le hionad séarachais nua a thógáil ar an gCeathrú Rua. Go dtí go dtiocfar ar réiteach, tá bac ar thithe nua a thógáil. Tá an fhadhb seo ann leis na blianta agus níl aon dul chun cinn déanta. Thuairiscigh The Ditch in 2024 go raibh 100 oiread níos mó lóistín le fáil ar Airbnb i gceantair Ghaeltachta ná mar a bhí ar daft.ie. Tá sé sin scannalach. Seachas polasaí dian a chur i bhfeidhm ionas gur féidir le muintir na Gaeltachta maireachtáil sa Ghaeltacht, tá an Rialtas tar éis maolú a dhéanamh ar na rialacha a bhí beartaithe de bharr brú ó na Healy-Raes. Maidir leis na treoirlínte pleanála, tar éis ceithre bliana de ghealltanais go bhfoilseofaí iad, scrios an tAire an chumhacht a bhí aige ina leith. Níl gníomh ar bith beartaithe go dtí go bhfoilseofar ráiteas pleanála náisiúnta don Ghaeltacht in 2027, in ainneoin na práinne a bhaineann leis an ngéarchéim. Tá an t-uafás céimeanna praiticiúla a d'fhéadfadh an Rialtas a dhéanamh chun Gaeilgeoirí a mhealladh agus a choinneáil sa Ghaeltacht. Tá plean ag Sinn Féin chun soláthar tithíochta a chinntiú do Ghaeilgeoirí, lena gcuimsítear measúnaithe tionchair teanga ar thograí molta; coinníollacha teanga do thithíocht Gaeltachta; aitheantas do phatrún lonnaíochta na Gaeltachta; agus díolúine ón dleachtstampála a thabhairt do dhíolachán an dara tí i gceantar Gaeltachta má dhíoltar é mar theach teaghlaigh do Ghaeilgeoirí. Teastaíonn úinéireacht a thabhairt do mhuintir na Gaeltachta ar a dtodhchaí trí toghcháin dhaonlathacha a thabhairt ar ais do bhord Údarás na Gaeltachta. Tugadh an gealltanas seo in 2023 ach níl sé curtha i bhfeidhm fós. Iarraim ar an Rialtas, má tá sé dáiríre faoi ghéarchéim tithíochta na Gaeltachta a réiteach, tacú le rún Shinn Féin anocht. Is gá gníomhú air seo.

Déanfaidh mé dhá phríomhphointe. Tá mé chun rud éigin a rá atá cosúil leis an méid atá ráite ag an Teachta Mac Aonghusa ó thaobh an tobair de. Uaireanta, fiosraíonn daoine, agus fios acu go bhfuil Gaeilge agam, faoi mo thuairim agus léargas ar staid na Gaelainne. Deirim go bhfuil idir ábhair dhóchais is imní ann. Ó thaobh an dóchais de, is cinnte go bhfuil go leor rudaí maithe ag tarlú inár nGaelscoileanna agus cathracha. Tá fís ann agus an stuif sin go léir sna meáin. Tá go leor rudaí dearfacha ag tarlú. É sin ráite, mura ndéantar caomhnú agus cosaint ar an tobar, is é sin, an Ghaeltacht, is beag is fiú an méid sin agus na daoine uilig ag teacht trí na Gaelscoileanna agus ag labhairt Gaelainne. Cé gur rudaí luachmhara agus maithe iad, má chaillimid an tobar agus an Ghaelainn mar theanga phobail agus bheo, príomhtheanga an teaghlaigh agus an teanga a labhraítear sna siopaí, mar shampla, beidh rud dochreidte ársa is luachmhar caillte againn nach féidir a thógáil ar ais. Is é sin an dara pointe atá agam. Ní bheidh an dara seans againn an Ghaeilge agus an Ghaeltacht a chosaint. Tá sé seo riachtanach. Tá go leor daoine díograiseacha ann. Tá go leor daoine agus gníomhaithe pobail atá tiomanta chun forbairt a dhéanamh, imeachtaí pobail agus scoile a eagrú agus gach rud cosúil leis sin. Mura bhfuil sé de chumas acu cónaí sna pobail sin, áfach, beidh orthu imeacht. Sna Gaeltachtaí is cóngaraí dom, Gaeltacht Mhúscraí agus iarthar Phort Láirge, feictear dom go mbíonn sé sin ag tarlú. Tá daoine ag bogadh go Maigh Chromtha agus an ceantar máguaird. Tá daoine eile ag bogadh go Dún Garbhán agus Eochaill mar níl sé de chumas acu teach a fháil, idir teach a thógáil nó teach a cheannach. Tá go leor cúiseanna nach mbíonn tógáil ar siúl. Tá constaicí ó thaobh pleanála de agus an stuif sin go léir. Is maith an rud í an turasóireacht ach ní cóir di a bheith níos tábhachtaí ná todhchaí na Gaeltachta. Tá 1,000 teach ar fáil ar Airbnb ag an am céanna is atá deich dteach ar fáil le glacadh ar cíos. Níl sé sin inbhuanaithe ar chor ar bith. Impím ar an Aire féachaint ar na moltaí. Ní leor glacadh leis an rún agus trácht a dhéanamh ar cad atá i gceist gan aon rud a dhéanamh faoi. Caithfear déileáil leis an gcíos gearrthéarmach agus níos mó a dhéanamh ó thaobh tithe sóisialta agus inacmhainne. Ní mór déileáil le ceist na pleanála. Uaireanta – tarlaíonn sé seo i go leor gnéithe den saol agus den Stát – bíonn aidhmeanna difriúla ag coimhlint lena chéile. B’fhéidir go mbíonn aidhmeanna uaillmhianacha náisiúnta ó thaobh pleanála de, go pointe áirithe, ag teacht salach ar aidhmeanna na Gaeltachta. Caithfear cás difriúil is eisceachtúil a dhéanamh don Ghaeltacht mar ní bheidh an dara seans againn. Caithfear cur chuige faoi leith a bheith ann.

Gabhaim buíochas leis na Teachtaí as ucht an rúin seo. Ní chuirfidh an Rialtas in aghaidh an rúin seo. Le comhaontú an Tí, leanfaidh mé ar aghaidh le mo ráiteas i mBéarla. The Government is not opposing this motion given the urgent need for housing and the Government's housing action plan, Delivering Homes, and Building Communities 2025-2030, which includes a range of actions aimed at increasing housing supply across all tenures and all parts of the country, including in rural and Gaeltacht areas. This includes financial supports for those seeking to buy or build new homes and to bring vacant and derelict properties back into use as homes, in addition to significant levels of capital investment in State-funded social and affordable housing. Under the croí cónaithe ready-to-build scheme, local authorities make serviced sites in towns and villages available to individual purchasers at a discount on market value for the building of a property for occupation as the principal private residence of the purchaser. This, coupled with the enhanced support under the croí cónaithe vacant property refurbishment grant for vacant or derelict properties and the number of significant investment schemes that are now aligned to advance the town centre first policy approach, will support increased housing supply and respond to the varying housing needs of rural areas, including Gaeltacht communities. In 2024 and 2025, there were 302 approved applications for the vacant property refurbishment grant within Gaeltacht areas. Under the national housing plan, each local authority will prepare a housing delivery action plan setting out its planned delivery of social and affordable housing to 2030 in line with targets that will be set by my Department in the first quarter of this year in order to ensure that 72,000 social homes will be delivered by 2030. In preparing its plan, each local authority will reflect local need to ensure the right mix of homes to respond to local need and priorities. The action plan also sets out the importance of infrastructure delivery in unlocking housing opportunities. The recent launch of the housing infrastructure investment fund by the housing activation office established in my Department demonstrates the Government’s commitment to tackling the barriers to housing delivery. This €1 billion fund will underpin enhanced collaboration and co-ordination across infrastructure providers. These measures help to ensure that essential infrastructure keeps pace with housing needs and supports long-term community resilience. The State has also committed to significant investment in enabling infrastructure such as water and wastewater, underpinned by a record national development plan allocation of €12.2 billion for the water sector over the next five years. My Department’s rural water programme, delivered through the local authorities, provides investment in group water schemes and in water and wastewater infrastructure for rural towns and villages, ensuring safe, reliable and sustainable drinking water and wastewater services. Overall funding of €243 million has been approved for projects, including capital support for the multi-annual rural water programme from 2024 to 2026 to upgrade infrastructure, improve water quality, strengthen source protection and enhance resilience. The next call for applications launches in June, reinforcing the Government’s continued commitment to investment in rural and Gaeltacht water services. In addition, the private well grant and domestic wastewater treatment system grant schemes provide practical financial assistance to all households nationally, including in Gaeltacht areas, supporting one-off housing and ensuring environmental compliance where connection to a public system is not feasible. The supporting people pillar of the plan also includes a number of actions targeted at rural areas. This includes the intention to publish a national planning statement on rural housing in the second half of 2026 in order to provide a more consistent approach by all planning authorities to rural housing. The plan also includes a specific recognition that the availability of an appropriate mix of suitable housing is key to the sustainability of thriving Gaeltacht and island communities. The plan commits to the publication of a national planning statement in relation to housing in Gaeltacht areas in the first half of 2027 to provide clarity and consistency within the planning system in relation to the protection of the Irish language. The development of this national planning statement is being informed by the work of an interdepartmental group. When the statement is finalised and issued, it will be required to be applied consistently by planning authorities and An Coimisiún Pleanála in the performance of their functions under the planning Acts. In advance of the national planning statement being finalised, the development plans guidelines for planning authorities that were issued in 2022 give guidance to local authorities on the preparation of housing strategies with particular regard to the needs of Gaeltacht residents and to ensuring development proposals in Gaeltacht areas have a positive impact on the linguistic and cultural heritage that can be robustly assessed at planning application stage. These guidelines also give guidance on the inclusion of local development policies reflecting language-planning areas, which are a separate designation under the Gaeltacht Act 2012 and relate to language planning, for which my colleague, the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, holds functional responsibility. In addition, the Planning and Development Act 2024, which is being commenced on a phased basis, sets out the obligation for planning authorities to prepare strategies and include objectives, which must be addressed in the drafting of their development plans, governing local development policies in respect of any Gaeltacht area. Where there is a Gaeltacht area within the planning authority’s administrative area, the development plan strategy must include objectives for “the protection of the linguistic and cultural heritage, including the promotion of Irish as the community language”. Where a development plan sets out settlement-specific objectives in respect of any Gaeltacht area, a priority area plan will subsequently be required for that Gaeltacht area to guide its development, renewal or regeneration, and to specify how the relevant settlement-specific objectives in the development plan are to be implemented. My Department is preparing a draft national planning statement which will provide guidance for local authorities when deciding on planning applications for short-term letting. This draft statement will align with the introduction of the short-term letting Bill by the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, whereby all short-term letting accommodation providers will be required to register with Fáilte Ireland and to confirm that they are planning compliant. I continue to engage regularly with my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Calleary, on matters that affect Gaeltacht areas, and my Department works closely with officials in the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, and with Uisce Éireann, local authorities and Údarás na Gaeltachta, to support the delivery of enabling infrastructure and housing in Gaeltacht areas. I acknowledge the importance of delivering on the needs of Gaeltacht communities, particularly through the supply of housing and the protection and promotion of the Irish language. My Department will continue to engage in this important work in conjunction with key stakeholders. Go raibh maith agaibh.

On a point of order, and I hope the Minister takes this in the right spirit, can he confirm he understood all the contributions from this side of the House? I do not have any issue with somebody-----

That is not a point of order.

Can I just clarify? The point is this. I have no issue with somebody-----

Can I make a suggestion in the interest-----

No, I will just finish the point of order.

But it is not a point of order.

It is a point of order.

Can I make a suggestion?

No, I just want to finish this.

It is in the interests of getting the Deputy an answer.

Okay.

I suggest the Deputy write to the Ceann Comhairle.

No, the point is this. I have no problem with somebody not understanding. The point is there is a service provided and if the Minister-----

I suggest you seek-----

Maybe the Minister can rebut me. I do not know. I just want to know he is taking on board what is being said. That is fine if he-----

Deputy-----

I just want a clarification, really.

I suggest, in the Deputy's interest and that of the House, that he put it in writing to the Ceann Comhairle.

It is not a complaint; I am looking for clarification.

I did not indicate that it was a complaint but it is also not a point of order.

It is not a complaint.

I did not say it was a complaint.

I am not making a complaint; I am hoping the Minister can tell us he has understood us.

Could the Minister include a reply in his closing statement?

Maybe the Deputy wants to elaborate on what standard of Irish he wants me to be able to say I have.

Right, folks, I am going to draw-----

We are getting into gradation.

Minister, I just want to know that you have understood us.

Deputy, with the greatest of respect-----

I just want to know the Minister has understood us because the service is there.

I call Deputy O'Rourke.

There is specifically a service for these purposes. I am sure he is aware of it and can avail of it. I would be useful if he could clarify in his closing statement because these are important matters. Fáiltím roimh an deis labhairt ar an topaic fíorthábhachtach seo, tithíocht inár bpobail Ghaeltachta ó Dhún na nGall go Corcaigh, cósta Chonamara agus Gaeltachta na Mí, is é sin, Ráth Chairn agus Baile Ghib. Ní féidir le teaghlaigh áitiúla, a chothaigh an teanga leis na glúnta, tithe a cheannach, a thógáil ná a thógáil ar cíos ina bpobail féin. Ina ionad sin, feicimid borradh tithe saoire, tithe ar cíos go gearrthéarmach, agus bíonn ar lánúineacha óga dul ar imirce. Is iomarcach praghsanna na dtithe ina bpobail féin dár nGaeilgeoirí. I Ráth Chairn agus Baile Ghib, is lofa arís scéal na dtithíochta. Is pócaí lánGhaeilge faoi leith i gContae na Mí iad seo agus tá siad faoi bhrú ollmhór. Nuair a chuirtear teach ar díol, is minic nach bhfuil sé d'acmhainn ag Gaeilgeoirí áitiúla an praghas iarrtha a íoc. Ag an am céanna, ní thugtar cead pleanála dóibh chun teach atá ar a n-acmhainn a thógáil ar talamh teaghlaigh. Is pianbhreith bháis don Ghaeilge polasaithe áiféiseacha mar seo sna pobail sin. Tá plean ag Sinn Féin é seo a dheisiú. Ar dtús, caithfimid an scéim deontais do thithíocht Ghaeltachta a thabhairt ar ais. Caithfimid ráiteas pleanála náisiúnta don Ghaeltacht, lena n-aithnítear patrúin lonnaíochta agus riachtanais teangeolaíochta na gceantar seo, a fhoilsiú agus a chur i bhfeidhm le práinn. Caithfimid pleanáil teanga a dhéanamh mar chuid lárnach de reachtaíocht pleanála lena chinntiú go gcuirtear tithíocht ar leataobh do theaghlaigh lánGhaeilge. Ciallaíonn sé sin measúnuithe tionchar teanga a dhéanamh maidir le gach forbairt nua agus coinníollacha teanga a chur leo. Caithfimid caighdeán soiléir a shocrú, leibhéal B2 de TEG, mar chaighdeán náisiúnta inniúlachta i gcomhair na gcoinníollacha teanga seo chun go mbeidh siad éifeachtach. Caithfimid fadhb easpa inacmhainneachta na dtithe sa Ghaeltacht a réiteach. Caithfimid tithe sóisialta agus inacmhainne a sholáthar a bheadh curtha ar leataobh do Ghaeilgeoirí. Ag an am céanna, caithfear machnamh a dhéanamh ar réadmhaoin a cheannach ag an Stát lena chinntiú go bhfanfar i seilbh an phobail í. Caithfimid infheistíocht a dhéanamh i mbonneagar chomh maith. Ní féidir tithíocht a sholáthar gan seirbhísí a bheith ann. Caithfear maoiniú d'Údarás na Gaeltachta a ardú go suntasach. Ní féidir leis an Rialtas cluas bhodhar a thabhairt don tsaincheist seo níos mó. Tá beart ag teastáil go práinneach chun an Ghaeltacht a shábháil.

Tír gan teanga, tír gan anam. A country without a language is a country without its soul. Is ráiteas fíorthábhachtach ó Phádraig Mac Piarais é sin. Tá dealbh de thuas anseo sa Ghailearaí. Faraor géar, don chéad uair riamh i stair na hÉireann agus i stair ársa 2,600 bliain na nGael, tá baol ann anois in 2026 nach mbeidh pobal ar bith fágtha in Éirinn, fiú pobal beag iargúlta, ina mbeidh an Ghaeilge mar phríomhtheanga laethúil. Cad a chiallaíonn sé sin? Ciallaíonn sé sin bás na Gaeltachta, the death of the Gaeltacht. Is é seo uair na cinniúna do thobar na Gaeilge, the well, spring or fountain of our national language. Níor éirigh le hAnraí II ná reachtanna Chill Chainnigh é sin a dhéanamh. Níor éirigh le Cromwell ná le hEilís, Banríon Shasana, é a dhéanamh. Níor éirigh le haon tíoránach gallda ó shin é a dhéanamh. Ar mhaith leis an Rialtas seo go mbeidh sé scríofa in annála na hÉireann gur eisean a lig don Ghaeltacht bás a fháil? It is a language that has held majority status in some communities, however small and isolated, on this island for the past 2,600 years as a living, breathing, spoken language. Would any government that calls itself Irish want to have as its legacy that it put the final nail in the coffin of an Gaeltacht after 2,600 years? Muna bhfuil cainteoirí Gaeilge fágtha sa Ghaeltacht, ní Gaeltacht a thuilleadh í. Is í sin an fhírinne lom shearbh. Ó thaobh tithíochta de, tá a fhios againn gur teach saoire é teach amháin as gach cúig cinn sna ceantair Ghaeltachta. Tá a fhios againn go ndeachaigh líon na dtithe iomlána ar Airbnb in airde 88% ó 2019 go 2025, i gcomparáid le hardú 48% sa Stát i gcoitinne, a jump of 88% in comparison with a State-wide average of 48%. Tá a fhios againn nach raibh ach deich dteach ar fáil ar cíos fadtéarmach ar daft.ie sa Ghaeltacht in 2024 agus 1,017 teach ar cíos gearrthéarmach liostáilte ar Airbnb. That is incredible. Ten houses in the Gaeltacht were available on daft.ie while 1,017 were available for short-term letting on Airbnb. Tá a fhios againn go bhfuil smacht ag cúigear tiarna talún ar 216 aonad Gaeltachta atá liostáilte ar Airbnb. Tá sé sin dochreidte. Tá a fhios againn go bhfuil 53 aonad liostáilte ag an tiarna talún is mó, atá ina chomhlacht Briotánach. These are really shocking figures. I ask the Minister to look them up because they are really shocking. Buíochas le Dia, tá daoine ag troid ar ais. Molaim go hard na spéire na grúpaí seo. I salute na grúpaí feachtais cosúil le BÁNÚ, a bhí taobh amuigh de na geataí inniu, Todhchaí na Tuaithe, TINTEÁN, Conradh na Gaeilge, AMLÉ agus na cumainn Ghaelacha, CATU, agus Inside Airbnb. Ó thaobh na meán, molaim The Ditch, TG4, Tuairisc.ie, Raidió na Gaeltachta agus Raidió Fáilte. Molaim freisin na pobail áitiúla a bhain úsáid as na cúirteanna chun an fhírinne atá leagtha amach sa tairiscint seo anocht a fháil amach. Molaim na hoifigigh phleanála a dhéanann obair na gcapall chun an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn níos forleithne sna pobail Ghaeltachta in ainneoin easpa tacaíochta ón Stát. Cad a chaithfimid a dhéanamh? What do we do? What are our constructive proposals? Táimid ag éileamh ar an Rialtas to introduce a strong national planning statement nó ráiteas pleanála náisiúnta láidir a fhoilsiú agus a chur i bhfeidhm láithreach don Ghaeltacht. Táim ag lorg scéim deontais do thithíocht Gaeltachta a thabhairt ar ais de réir Acht na dTithe (Gaeltacht). We are looking for the grant scheme to be brought back. Táimid ag rá gur chóir don Rialtas tacú leis an bplean deich-bpointe atá ag Sinn Féin i leith tithíocht don Ghaeltacht, darb ainm Ag Pleanáil don Athchóiriú. I ask the Minister to read our ten-point plan, which contains really constructive proposals. Caithfimid a chinntiú chomh maith go gcuirfear fáilte Uí Cheallaigh roimh eisimircigh atá ag filleadh abhaile a léiríonn spéis sa Ghaeltacht agus atá ag iarraidh pobail Ghaeltachta a thógáil, clann a thógáil trí Ghaeilge agus Gaelscoileanna a fhorbairt ina gceantair áitiúla. Caithfimid a chinntiú gur féidir leo filleadh abhaile agus é sin a dhéanamh. Tá a lán daoine thar lear a bhfuil an-spéis acu i gclann a thógáil trí Ghaeilge i gceantar Gaeltachta. Tá a lán daoine ann a d'fhág an Ghaeltacht sna caogaidí, sna hochtóidí agus ó shin i leith. Ba chóir tús áite a thabhairt do chainteoirí Gaeilge agus daoine ón nGaeltacht i ngach réimse. We need to welcome home those who speak and promote the language and give them priority in all of our policies. Níl aon rogha eile ann má tá an Rialtas seo dáiríre faoin nGaeilge. Níl Gaeltacht ann mura bhfuil muintir na Gaeltachta in ann socrú síos ansin agus a bheith ina gcónaí ann. Faoi dheireadh, tír gan teanga, tír gan anam. A country without its language is a country without its soul. Molaim don Aire ár gcáipéis a léamh. I recommend the Minister read our document.

Gabhaim buíochas le Páirtí Shinn Féin as ucht an rún seo a chur faoi bhráid na Dála anocht. Tugann Páirtí an Lucht Oibre tacaíocht don rún. Bhí mé ag éisteacht le mo chara, an Teachta Ní Fhearghail, agus dúirt sí rud éigin spéisiúil. Chuir sí ceist faoi bhráid na Dála; céard is fiú é? Aontaím leis an méid a bhí le rá aici. Céard is fiú Seachtain na Gaeilge gan Gaeltacht bheo agus gan teanga bheo? Tá a fhios ag gach uile dhuine go bhfuil an ghéarchéim tithíochta sa Ghaeltacht ina bagairt ollmhór dár dteanga náisiúnta. I ndáiríre, níl an Rialtas ag déanamh móráin. Níl sé ag déanamh an iomarca chun feabhas a chur ar chúrsaí. Mar shampla, labhair a lán Teachtaí faoi chúrsaí Airbnb agus faoin bhfadhb atá ann. Maidir le cúrsaí tithíochta sa Ghaeltacht, tá fadhb ann le polasaithe an Rialtais seo agus polasaithe an Rialtais dheireanaigh. Tá siad ag cur isteach ar mhuintir na háite agus iad ag iarraidh tithe a thógáil nó a cheannach. Nuair a bhí an iar-Theachta Dála, Éamon Ó Cuív, mar Bhall den Dáil, labhair sé go minic faoi chúrsaí Gaeltachta agus faoi chúrsaí tithíochta inti. Caithfidh an tAire éisteacht le muintir na Gaeltachta agus lena sheanchomhghleacaí, Éamon Ó Cuív. Tá gá leis an gcothromaíocht a athrú maidir le cúrsaí tithíochta sa Ghaeltacht i bhfabhar daoine áitiúla. Chun an méid sin a dhéanamh, is gá ráiteas pleanála náisiúnta láidir a thabhairt isteach. Tá a fhios ag gach uile dhuine nach bhfuil suímh ann le seirbhísí do mhuintir na Gaeltachta. Is í fadhb an easpa bonneagair an fhadhb is ollmhóire sa Ghaeltacht agus i roinnt áiteanna eile in Éirinn faoi láthair. Caithfidh an Rialtas cumhacht a thabhairt do na comhlachtaí Stáit agus maoiniú cuí a aimsiú d'Údarás na Gaeltachta chun go bhféadfaí talamh a cheannach agus suímh a fhorbairt le seirbhísí a chur ar fáil do mhuintir na Gaeltachta. Tá gá le ráiteas pleanála náisiúnta láidir mar tá deacrachtaí le fada ag daoine cead pleanála a fháil sa Ghaeltacht. Bhí ráitis sa Dáil i mbliana faoi chúrsaí a bhaineann le hUisce Éireann. Tá an fhadhb chéanna ann sa Ghaeltacht maidir le cóireáil séarachais ach tá sé níos measa. Is deacracht mhór é sin chomh maith. Dúradh go mbeidh 2027 ann faoin am go mbeidh cóireáil á déanamh ar an séarachas ar an gCeathrú Rua sa Ghaeltacht i gContae na Gaillimhe. Caithfear déileáil leis na fadhbanna pleanála ar dtús. Is é sin an fáth go bhfuil gá le ráiteas pleanála náisiúnta láidir. Ba chóir go raibh na treoirlínte foilsithe in 2021. Tá sé dodhéanta saol a bhunú gan an cumas teach a cheannach i do cheantar féin. Bhí mé i nDubrovnic dhá bhliain ó shin, agus mé ann, thug mé le fios go raibh fadhb ann maidir le longa crúsála. Bhí a lán long crúsála ollmhóra ag teacht isteach i nDubrovnic gach uile lá agus muintir na long sin ag siúl trí na sráideanna gan mórán airgid a chaitheamh agus an áit a fhágáil díreach ina dhiaidh sin. Measaim go bhfuil an fhadhb chéanna ann le Airbnb agus tiarnaí talún móra Briotánacha sa Ghaeltacht. Is gá rud éigin a dhéanamh faoi. Is gá an bhéim a athrú i bhfabhar daoine áitiúla. Caithfidh an Rialtas níos mó cumhachta a thabhairt d'Údarás na Gaeltachta. Bhí mé sa Teach seo an bhliain seo caite agus mé ag éisteacht le roinnt Teachtaí ag labhairt ar Údarás na Gaeltachta. Bhí mé ag éisteacht leis an Uachtarán, Catherine Connolly, a bhí ina Teachta Dála ag an am sin. Chuir sí agus Teachtaí eile roinnt leasuithe chun cinn don Bhille a bhí faoi bhráid na Dála ag an am sin an bhliain seo chaite chun níos mó cumhachta a thabhairt d’Údarás na Gaeltachta le cinntiú go mbeadh an chumhacht aige feabhas a chur ar chúrsaí. Is náire é nár thug an Rialtas tacaíocht dóibh. Mar a dúirt mé, is bagairt ollmhór don Ghaeltacht í an ghéarchéim tithíochta. Is í an bhagairt is mó don Ghaeltacht. Mura ndéantar beart ó thaobh na géarchéime seo, ní féidir linn na Gaeltachtaí a choimeád ná iad a fhás. Tá gá le plean tithíochta speisialta don Ghaeltacht, lena n-airítear plean tithíochta sóisialta agus inacmhainne, go háirithe ó thaobh raon leathan seirbhísí de. Tá scéim i Ros an Mhíl ina bhfuil 42 teach folamh. Tá scéim eile in Eanach Mhéain ina bhfuil 14 teach folamh. In ainm Dé, tabhair ciste do Chomhairle Chontae na Gaillimhe nó comhlacht ceadaithe tithíochta éigin chun na tithe a cheannach agus a athrú go tithe sóisialta do mhuintir dhúchas na Gaeltachta. Tá an ghéarchéim folúntais níos measa sa Ghaeltacht. Deir an Rialtas an t-am ar fad nach bhfuil tuairim ar bith ag an bhFreasúra, ach is tuairim úsáideach amháin í seo don Rialtas. Gabhaim buíochas le BÁNÚ as ucht na hoibre a rinne sé chun solas a chur ar na fadhbanna ollmhóra seo. Bhí deis agam bualadh le gníomhaithe dá chuid taobh amuigh den Dáil inniu. Mura ndéantar an méid a dúirt mé, beidh sé dodhéanta na Gaeltachtaí a choimeád agus an Ghaeilge a fhás mar theanga bheo agus teanga oibre mar ní bheidh na cainteoirí dúchais againn. Seasaim le muintir na Gaeltachta, go háirithe le daoine óga sa Ghaeltacht agus cainteoirí dúchais Ghaeilge. Molaim an rún seo anocht. Mar a dúirt mé, tá mé an-sásta a bheith anseo chun labhairt faoin fhadhb ollmhór tithíochta sa Ghaeltacht. Tá mé sásta nach bhfuil an Rialtas ag dul i gcoinne an rúin. Ag an am céanna, áfach, caithfidh sé éisteacht agus rud éigin a dhéanamh. Táthar fós ag fanacht ar na treoirlínte pleanála, agus beifear ag fanacht go dtí 2027. Dúirt an Rialtas roimhe seo go dtiocfadh na treoirlínte pleanála isteach in 2021. Tá muintir na Gaeltachta ag fanacht le fada ach níl siad ábalta fanacht go dtí 2027.

Gabhaim buíochas le Sinn Féin as an tairiscint thábhachtach seo a chur chun cinn. Tá géarchéim tithíochta ar fud na tíre. Tá éigeandáil ann. There is a housing crisis all over this country. It is an emergency. Is fadhb ar leith í sa Ghaeltacht. There is a specific crisis that affects the Gaeltacht. That is, of course, because tá todhchaí na nGaeltachtaí i mbaol agus, mar sin, tá todhchaí na Gaeilge, ár dteanga, i mbaol. There is a specific issue because the future of the Gaeltacht is in danger and that means the future of our language is in danger. Tá todhchaí na nGaeltachtaí i mbaol mar níl aon tithe ar fáil le ceannach nó le glacadh ar cíos. There is nothing to buy or rent for the cainteoirí, the Irish speakers, in the Gaeltacht, because all the properties are on Airbnb or are tithe saoire, holiday homes. This is the fundamental problem and why there is a specific crisis in the Gaeltachtaí. They face a concentration of Airbnb properties and holiday homes that nowhere else in the country is facing. This is a problem that the Government has done a U-turn on and it is absolutely shameful. The Government promised to address the issue of short-term lets and Airbnb but it did a U-turn for its Minister of State, Deputy Michael Healy-Rae. It is back to parish-pump politics. The price that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael paid to stay in power was to turn their backs on the communities in the Gaeltachtaí who have been highlighting for many years the issues of Airbnb and holiday homes and how they are putting the future of our teanga and their communities, a bpobail, i mbaol. If we go to any area of the Gaeltacht, there are only a handful of homes available ar cíos fadtéarmach, for long-term rent, and all of it is on Airbnb. Caithfidh an Stát tithe inacmhainne a mhaoiniú agus a thógáil. In my view, the State must finance and build homes trí thacaíocht a thabhairt d’Údarás na Gaeltachta, na húdaráis áitiúla agus pobail áitiúla. That needs to be done through supporting Údarás na Gaeltachta, our local governments and local communities. Le teacht ar réiteach na faidhbe, ní mór do pholasaí teacht le riachtanais mhuintir na háite. Policy has to work for the needs of local people in our Gaeltachtaí. Currently, it is not working. It is actually working against them. I again highlight the Government's U-turn and failure to act on short-term lets, which is essentially abandoning the Gaeltachtaí to their homes being purchased continuously for short-term lets and as holiday homes. It is a free market down there. The Government could have done something that would have ensured the homes that are being built and exist are there for people to live in permanently to support our cainteoirí agus ár gcuid pobal Gaeltachta. Tá daoine óga ag fágáil na nGaeltachtaí mar gheall ar easpa tithíochta le ceannach nó le glacadh ar cíos. Young people are leaving the Gaeltacht, just like they are leaving this country, because there is a lack of housing to buy or rent. There is a fundamental flaw within the Government's housing policies, which is the over-reliance on the private market. The Government incentivises investor funds. It thinks they are going to build in Dublin. It wants them to build high-end properties. They are not going to be building anything in the Gaeltachtaí. What has the Government done? It has allowed the landlords in the Gaeltachtaí and in rural Ireland to hike up the rents, which is what they are going to do. It has incentivised landlords to buy up more properties because the rents will be even higher. That puts more pressure on local house prices. The State must intervene in a way that finances local authorities properly, because they do not have sufficient money, to build public affordable housing in our Gaeltachtaí. I will call out the Minister. He threw up his hands and said he is disgraced at what happened with the evictions in Wexford. I have been telling him since he was appointed that these evictions are happening. He has not raised a peep about them. He has done nothing to protect people from eviction. He has given new tenancies protection but not the 250,000 households who are all facing eviction. There are going to be, and are, hundreds of people across the country who are in situations like those in the Wexford estates and who are being evicted. Some 20,000 households were evicted last year. Thousands are facing eviction notices right now. Why does the Minister not put in place a ban on no-fault evictions? He says it will deter landlords. That is the only reason he is not doing it. Why is the Government not putting in place a ban on evictions and families being made homeless? The reason it is not doing that is, as all of the previous Ministers and taoisigh have said, that will scare off landlords. The Government is saying it straight. It is allowing people to be made homeless to protect landlords. It is a disgraceful decision. The Minister is being disingenuous by saying he is going to stand up to this. If he wants to stand up to it, he should put in place a ban on no-fault evictions.

Ar an gcéad dul síos, gabhaim buíochas le Sinn Féin as ucht an tairiscint seo a tabhairt chun na Dála anocht. Is léir ón méid atá tarlaithe ó thaobh líon na gcainteoirí laethúla sa Ghaeltacht le blianta anuas go bhfuil ag teip go huile is go hiomlán ar an Rialtas lena chuid iarrachtaí deireadh a chur le meath na Gaeltachta. Le gach daonáireamh, tá níos lú cainteoirí laethúla sa Ghaeltacht. Le blianta, tá muid ag caint faoin ghéarchéim tithíochta sa Ghaeltacht agus an tionchar atá aici ar an teanga. Muna bhfuil an pobal in ann maireachtáil sa Ghaeltacht, is cuma faoi na polasaithe ó thaobh na teanga de. Muna bhfuil cainteoirí laethúla sa Ghaeltacht, níl aon Ghaeltacht ann. Is léir ón méid atá, agus nach bhfuil, tarlaithe le blianta beaga anuas nach bhfuil aon uaillmhian ag an Rialtas dul i ngleic leis an ngéarchéim seo. Bhí muid ag fanacht blianta le haghaidh na dtreoirlínte pleanála, ach tá muid fós ag fanacht leo, nó le haon réiteach ón Rialtas seo. Nuair nach bhfuil ach deich teach sa Ghaeltacht ar fáil ar cíos fadtéarmach agus os cionn 1,000 teach ar fáil le haghaidh turasóirí, is léir go bhfuil teip iomlán pleanála agus polasaithe i gceist. Teastaíonn tithíocht inacmhainne ó mhuintir na Gaeltachta. Is gá le hobair ollmhór ó thaobh séarachais agus pleanála de. Teastaíonn fís don Ghaeltacht ina mbeidh daoine óga ag fás aníos agus ag fanacht sa Ghaeltacht, áit a mbeidh siad in ann tithe a cheannach nó a ghlacadh ar cíos agus clann a thógáil. Tá muid ag brú an phobail a choinníonn an teanga beo amach. Murach muintir na Gaeltachta, ní bheadh aon Ghaeilge ann.

I welcome the motion and fully support it. I speak from personal experience. I am from Arranmore Island in County Donegal, with family roots in Loch an Iúir. I know the realities facing other Donegal islands like Tory and Inishbofin. They are living communities. Housing is not just about houses; it is about units and putting down roots. The value of a house needs to be considered in terms of what it brings to a community. It is about whether schools survive, services remain or Irish remains a language for daily life. Housing challenges in the Gaeltacht islands are often very much misunderstood. It is not just about speculation or luxury developments; it is about viability. In many cases, building a home costs more than a house will ever be valued at. That is a reality. Homes in rural and Gaeltacht areas are empty and we cannot help people to remain in their communities due to cost. There is a paradox in terms of vacancies and dereliction. Many homes lie empty and are unsafe, including defective concrete homes that have been lost to the local housing stock, which families cannot avail of. It is not a lifestyle choice; rather, it is a structural failure. When homes are lost in this way, families leave, schools decline and the social fabric weakens. There is a solution, namely a State-led approach whereby it buys back vacant or derelict homes and manage their renovation rather than expecting families to find tens of thousands of euro upfront or act as project managers. We have seen the difficulties ordinary people have to navigate with the defective concrete scheme model. A State-led approach would also allow investment to be targeted locally. Local builders and apprentices can be employed, supporting skills on islands like Arranmore and Tory and villages like Loch an Iúir, Falcarragh and Magheroarty. Such housing support structures strengthen the community, economy and language rather than simply funding a house in isolation. Serviced sites would be a way forward. There are buyers for houses on islands and in Gaeltacht communities and it is not often that there is a willingness to build. If there is land that is serviced and ready to go, that would change things. Local authorities should be supported in acquiring and fully servicing small clustered sites delivered at cost specifically for local need. It would be like the old 1990s SI model we used to have. Where viability gaps exist, the State should step in with targeted supports in Gaeltacht areas to address the difference between the build cost and market value. Families cannot be expected to absorb these costs if we want them to stay and raise their children in these areas. Housing policy in the Gaeltacht is also language and community policy. In Gaeltacht areas, this is not a theory but a way of life. Viable enrolment numbers and housing numbers have been going down because people simply cannot afford to stay. If we are serious about sustaining these communities, housing policy must reflect the reality and we need practical State-supported housing rooted in local life.

Molaim an rún seo maidir le tithíocht sa Ghaeltacht. Is fadhb an-tábhachtach í do mhuintir na Gaeltachta i gConamara, Dún na nGall agus Cúige Mumhan agus don teanga agus don chultúr. I welcome and support the motion. It is of vital importance to the Gaeltacht and the Irish language and culture. Difficulties with housing in Gaeltacht areas is of course part of the housing emergency that exists in the State, an issue that continues to undermine the very fabric of our society. Failed Government policies have resulted in 17,000 homeless people, along with almost 5,500 homeless children, exorbitant rip-off rents, skyrocketing house prices, large numbers of young people living in their childhood bedrooms and even larger numbers locked out of home ownership. The only way to deal with the housing crisis is by a declaration in law of a housing emergency, a right to housing in the Constitution, large-scale construction of social and affordable housing by local authorities on public land, rent reductions, a rent freeze and the purchase and refurbishment of vacant and derelict properties by local authorities for housing applicants. There are, of course, specific issues that relate to the Gaeltacht. I want to compliment BÁNÚ for its work on the housing issue in Gaeltacht areas. The word "bánú" tells a tale. It is an emotive Irish phrase referring to a place left deserted without energy or life. The fear is that if housing in Gaeltacht areas is not tackled successfully this will become reality. BÁNÚ, founded in 2023, is a Gaeltacht housing action group and advocacy organisation based primarily in Conamara and focused on tackling the housing crisis in Irish-speaking areas. It was formed in response to the lack of affordable and social housing and planning difficulties, and demands the right of local Irish-speaking communities to get housing in their own areas. It aims to prevent the depopulation of Gaeltacht areas, arguing that the housing crisis is eroding the Irish language and culture. The campaign for fairer planning guidelines, increased social and affordable housing and remediation of derelict and vacant properties is also an aim of the organisation. The organisation has organised protests and has petitioned Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael Ministers on the urgent need for housing in the Gaeltacht and challenged the Minister with responsibility for the Gaeltacht on planning guidelines and housing delivery. I also want to compliment Tinteán, launched in November 2024, a national housing campaign aimed at tackling the housing crisis in Gaeltacht areas, a collaboration between Conradh na Gaeilge and BÁNÚ. It aims to bring together communities nationally to highlight the urgent housing needs threatening the cultural and linguistic heritage of these areas and, ultimately, the nation. The housing emergency in the Gaeltacht areas in Connemara, Donegal and Munster is undermining the Irish language and culture. There are four main difficulties in the Gaeltacht areas. There are little or no schemes of houses being built in Irish-speaking areas by housing authorities. Housing prices are high for the little housing that is available. There are planning restrictions on one-off houses in rural areas and a lack of rental housing and the rip-off cost of what is available. The housing crisis in Gaeltacht areas must be addressed to make sure that they will be a Gaeltacht in the coming years. Údarás na Gaeltachta must be given powers and funding to buy land and property to provide houses for Irish speakers in the Gaeltacht. A housing department in Údarás na Gaeltachta must be established to prioritise and build houses in co-operation with housing authorities and utility companies. Legislation will be required to do that and it should be introduced urgently. Airbnb has taken over the whole short-term rental market so there are very few long-term rental houses available. The short-term letting and tourism Bill 2025 must ensure that housing stock in Gaeltacht areas is not just for the profit of Airbnb and booking.com but for the good of the Gaeltacht language community and for the vitality of the Irish language. The Minister for housing must immediately and without any further delay publish the national Gaeltacht housing planning statement. Guidelines on this were promised in 2021 but are still outstanding. This statement on guidelines is now promised for the first half of 2027. That is six years later and is simply not good enough. The statement must specifically address the housing needs of Gaeltacht areas, promote the retention of Irish-speaking residents and align development with language plans and address depopulation in Gaeltacht areas. These measures must be taken urgently and I urge that they are done at the earliest opportunity.

I want to highlight a serious housing crisis, not alone on Oileán Chléire, one of our most culturally important and geographically vulnerable Gaeltacht islands, but also on all islands in west Cork and throughout Ireland. Cape Clear is facing a future on a knife edge, with homes in desperately short supply and the long-term viability for the community under real threat. Despite the presence of dozens of vacant houses, families cannot find a single home to rent or buy. This small island has become a stark microcosm of the wider national housing crisis. One of the most pressing issues is the mismatch between housing stock and housing availability. Many houses lie empty, unused for years, functioning as second homes or left derelict. Almost none of them is available for year-round families who want to live, work and raise their children on the island. This is contributing directly to the population decline and places vital services such as primary schools at risk. Research by UCC has made it clear that housing availability and affordability are central to sustaining life on all our offshore islands. Challenges such as old and deteriorating housing stock, the high cost of building or renovating on an island and the displacement of permanent residents due to second home ownership are creating a perfect storm. Despite this, the community is doing everything in its power to survive. Under the Government's ten-year strategy for offshore islands, it is currently working with homeowners to bring a small number of houses back into long-term use, including two homes being made available for affordable rental from this year. This is welcome but it is nowhere near enough to address the scale of the crisis. Cape Clear is fighting for its future. Without immediate and targeted accelerated refurbishment supports and incentives for year-round occupancy and stronger measures to tackle vacancy this unique Gaeltacht community risks losing its population, culture and way of life. I call on the Minister for housing and the Minister with responsibility for the Gaeltacht to intervene urgently, with bespoke, island-specific housing measures that reflect the reality on the ground. If we lose communities like Cape Clear, we will lose irreplaceable pieces of our national heritage. Cape Clear, Sherkin Island, Bere Island, Whiddy Island, Dursey Island, Long Island - I can name them all in west Cork - all face the same crisis of a loss of population with no social housing programme. It is the same situation the length and breadth of the country. I also want to speak on behalf of my colleague in Independent Ireland, Councillor Noel Thomas who is a candidate in Galway West. I want to raise serious and growing concerns from the communities of Cregmore, Claregalway and Grange regarding the proposed solar farm and battery energy storage development. Councillor Thomas has met residents and stood with them at their protests outside county buildings and has listened carefully to the very real fear and uncertainty people are now living with. Families in this area are not opposed to renewable energy; far from it. However, they are opposed to being asked to shoulder all the risk while clear regulations and proper safety structures are still missing. At a meeting of Galway County Council, Councillor Thomas highlighted a critical point that there is still no robust regulatory framework governing large-scale battery-energy storage systems, despite their rapid expansion nationwide. These are industrial-scale units placed in close proximity to homes, schools and farms and the community is expected simply to trust that everything will be fine. Trust alone is not enough. Councillor Thomas reminded the council that three firefighters remain out of work following the battery fire in Claregalway. This was a relatively minor incident. The community asked the very reasonable question of what happens if a much large system goes on fire. Who carries the risk, who bears responsibility and where is the independent safety assessment that reassures the people who live beside these units every day? He has called for updated independent safety assessments, not reports produced by developers, but truly impartial evaluations that put community welfare first. He has also called for a strengthened planning framework, one that ensures that developments of this scale are properly regulated, monitored and located. Communities deserve certainty and safety and deserve to be protected, not sidelined. Councillor Noel Thomas has made it clear that renewable energy must proceed but it must do so responsibly and never at the cost of the safety or peace of mind of the people who live with the consequences.

The next speaker on the list is not in the Chamber at the moment.

I could keep going.

Please do not. You have utilised your colleague's time. I propose that we take a moment of reflection because the debate is moving slightly ahead of time. If the next speaker does not appear, I will call Deputy Gogarty next but I would like to give him ten seconds, with the indulgence of the House.

Gabhaim buíochas le Sinn Féin as an mBille tábhachtach seo a thabhairt os comhair na Dála. Is í an Ghaeltacht tobar na Gaeilge agus gan í ní bheidh todhchaí ag an nGaeilge ar chor ar bith i ndáiríre. Má táimid dáiríre faoin nGaeilge, ceann de na chéad rudaí atá tábhachtach ná go mbeadh clann in ann a cuid pháistí a thógáil sa Ghaeltacht. Muna bhfuilimid in ann clann a thógáil sa Ghaeltacht ní bheidh páistí óga ag fás suas le Gaeilge níos mó. Ceann de na rudaí is measa mar gheall ar an nGaeilge ag an mbomaite ná go bhfuil líon na ndaoine atá in ann Gaeilge a labhairt ag titim fós sa Ghaeltacht. Tá sé sin dochreidte agus má leanann sé ar aghaidh, ciallaíonn sé nach mbeidh an Ghaeilge mar theanga phobal sa Ghaeltacht sa todhchaí. Gan teanga phobal, ní bheidh aon saibhreas nó láidreacht sa teanga ar chor ar bith sa todhchaí. Sin an céad rud. An dara rud ná go bhfuil éileamh mór ag teacht ó mhuintir na Gaeltachta, ó dhaoine óga agus ó pháirtnéirí óga a bheith ina cónaí sna háiteanna sin. Tá sé dochreidte. De ghnáth, bíonn an Rialtas agus na meáin cumarsáide sa tír seo ag caint faoi Ghaeilge éigeantach. Ach i ndáiríre, i go leor earnáil, tá Béarla éigeantach ann. Seo daoine óga atá ag iarraidh bheith ina gcónaí sa Ghaeltacht. Tá siad ag iarraidh clann a thógáil sa Ghaeltacht agus tá an Rialtas ag cur bac orthu é sin a dhéanamh. Bhí comhrá agam cúpla uair le Aire na Gaeltachta, an Teachta Calleary, agus dúirt mé leis gur cheart go mbeadh sé in ann tithe a thógáil sa Ghaeltacht agus iad a dhíol le muintir na háite nó iad siúd atá ag iarraidh clann a thógáil le Gaeilge. Tá sé dochreidte gur shéan an Rialtas go dtí seo an rud beag sin a dhéanamh. Níl sé casta. Ní gá go mbeadh plean, ráiteas nó bróisiúr nua ag teacht ón Rialtas. Is gníomh é seo gur féidir leis a dhéanamh. Bhí an tAire ag rá go bhfuil sé ag obair go dian ach is obair gan torthaí atá i gceist i ndáiríre ar an ábhar seo. Aontaím go huile is go hiomlán gur cheart go mbeadh Údarás na Gaeltachta ina údarás tithíochta. Níl suim, taithí ná eolas ag an gcuid is mó de na húdaráis áitiúla ar cad atá ar siúl sa Ghaeltacht agus níl siad dírithe ar thithe nua a thógáil sa Ghaeltacht. Tá an t-eolas agus an saineolas sin ag Údarás na Gaeltachta agus cén fáth nach gcuirfí é sa ról sin? Tá sé chomh simplí agus chomh loighciúil sin. Ba cheart go mbeadh foireann ag an údarás chun an jab sin a dhéanamh agus a bhainistiú. Ba cheart go mbeadh an t-airgead aige freisin chun é sin a dhéanamh. Tá mise i mo chónaí in aice le Ráth Chairn. Tá go leor daoine ó Bhaile Átha Cliath, ó Dhroichead Átha, ón Muileann gCearr, agus An Uaimh ag iarraidh a bheith ina gcónaí i Ráth Chairn chun a gclanna a thógáil le Gaeilge, ach ní féidir leo é sin a dhéanamh. Tá go leor Gaeltachtaí cosúil leis sin thar timpeall na tíre. Tá mé ag smaoineamh ar An Spidéal, ar Bhaile Bhuirne agus ar An Rinn atá in aice le bailte móra. Is slí éasca í seo rud éigin a dhéanamh. Níl aon uaillmhian ag an Rialtas seo. Fiú nuair a bhí Éamon de Valera ann mar cheannaire ar Fhianna Fáil, bhí sé uaillmhianach go leor Gaeltacht a bhunú i gContae na Mí chun cabhrú leis an nGaeilge feidhmiú sa chuid sin den tír. An bhfuil an Teachta Gogarty ag teacht isteach?

Tá trí nóiméad ag an Teachta Gogarty.

Fágfaidh mé ansin é mar sin.

Ní bheadh aon Ghaeltacht ann gan cainteoirí Gaeilge. Ní bheadh aon daoine in áiteanna ar a dtugtar "Gaeltacht" orthu gan tithe. Sin í an fhadhb. Cé go bhfuil níos mó daoine ag foghlaim agus ag labhairt na Gaeilge toisc scoileanna lánGhaeilge i mo Dháilcheantar, mar shampla, agus in áiteanna eile sna cathracha móra agus i mbailte ar fud na tíre - ach amháin sna Gaeltachtaí féin - níl mórán tithe ar fáil sna Gaeltachtaí. Mar a dúradh, aontaíodh 22 togra ar bhonn traspháirtí in 2022 ach tá an Rialtas ag fanacht go dtí 2027 le ráiteas pleanála náisiúnta don Ghaeltacht a fhoilsiú. Tá easpaí againn anois, go háirithe ó thaobh airgid a chur i dtreo na seirbhísí cosúil le huisce mar shampla, agus ní dea-phleanáil é seo. Is mór dúinn níos mó tithe a thógáil agus dreasacht a thabhairt do níos mó daoine le fanacht nó dul chun cónaí sa Ghaeltacht. Mar a dúirt an Teachta Tóibín, tá a lán daoine óga ag iarraidh dul ar ais nó dul go dtí an nGaeltacht. Cad faoi na poist inar féidir le daoine oibriú an chuid is mó den am sna bailte cosúil le Baile Átha Cliath agus i mo Dháilcheantar féin, nó sna hubs? Tá a lán IT poist mar sin ann. Dúirt mé cheana go bhfuil an Rialtas in ann daoine ón Aontas Eorpach nó tíortha eile atá ag obair i réimse na teicneolaíochta faisnéise, IT, a sheoladh chuig na bailte siar ó Bhaile Átha Cliath cosúil le Tullamore, Athlone, an Muileann gCearr agus áiteanna cosúil leo seo. Tá deis againn mar sin oibrithe teicneolaíochta faisnéise Éireannacha a labhraíonn Gaeilge a spreagadh le bogadh chuig an nGaeltacht, más ó na ceantair seo ó dhúchas atá siad nó má tá Gaeilge líofa acu. Tá seans againn dul chun cinn a dhéanamh.

In the west Kerry Gaeltacht, Gaeltacht Chorca Dhuibhne, we have the linguistic town of Dingle - An Daingean, Ceann Trá, Dún Chaoin, An Fheothanach agus Baile an Fheirtéaraigh. In Gaeltacht Uíbh Ráthaigh, we have the service town of Cahersiveen, Baile an Sceilg, An Dromaid, An Ghleann agus An Caladh. These are the two main Gaeltacht areas in County Kerry. There is a strong need to increase the number of Gaelic speakers in these regions. The two regions are suffering from depopulation. There is a need to incentivise Gaeilgeoirí to remain, return and come to live in the area. We know this all too well from the difficulties that West Kerry Community Hospital on the west Kerry peninsula and, indeed, Cahersiveen community hospital on the Iveragh Peninsula are suffering in the context of getting staff, such as nurses and doctors, to come and live in the area. We need to incentivise housing in the area. We need to provide affordable and social housing. We need to provide low-cost sites in the area. We also need to bring back the housing grants. This is the only way we will get people to return and live in these regions. They are beautiful parts of the world but scenery will not provide a living. We need to encourage people with other ideas. I call for the grants to be brought back and for housing to be provided in the context of affordable, social and low-cost sites. Decent grant aid would go a significant way to bringing life back to these regions and encouraging people to build and live in south and west Kerry. As I mentioned already, Corca Dhuibhne and Uíbh Ráthaigh are beautiful parts of the world. It is sad to see our hospitals struggling. I have raised this issue on the floor of the House previously. I have also raised the matter of depopulation and called for a pilot study to be carried out in south Kerry that would benefit the entire country.

I want to thank Sinn Féin for bringing this motion before us this evening. I welcome the gentlemen from the Gaeltacht here too this evening. I know housing is a serious issue in Dingle. I have people onto me nearly crying trying to source a house to rent. It is a fact that many people are going through this day after day. A lot of houses are taken up by tourists. The tourism sector is very important but I am telling the Minister that if we are serious about maintaining and preserving the Irish language, we need to build more houses in these places, such as in Dingle, so people can stay there. I am asking him to get after Kerry County Council to build social houses in Dingle. If people want, after a time, they can use the tenant purchase scheme to purchase these houses. There are many other villages, like Dún Chaoin and Ballyferriter in the greater municipal area, as well as Ventry, Lispole, Annascaul, Camp, Brandon, Cloghan, and Castlegregory. We have no plan to build houses in these little villages to maintain their identity and the culture. Likewise, in the Iveragh Peninsula, we have places like Ballinskelligs, Portmagee and Waterville. We need to build houses in those places. I ask the Minister of State to get the council to build those. There are many vacant houses and people who have vacant houses who are doing nothing at all with them must be given some incentive to do up the houses and rent them out. The Government has a good scheme for the Ukrainians. It pays €600 tax-free. I do not mind that going to them but we should do the same thing for our own Irish people. That would tempt people who have vacant houses into renting them to our own people because they are having severe difficulty, as I outlined. It is impossible to get planning along the Dingle peninsula because of the beauty of the place. People need a roof over their heads. There was the cheek of the planning regulator, when councillors in Kerry County Council voted to zone a bit of land for Mick O'Connell on Valentia Island, and he stuck his nose into and dezoned it. That is the kind of thing that has been happening to us. I have been asking the Government day after day to do something about the planning for one-off houses to allow people to build a house for themselves. They are asking for nothing else but to build a house and to ensure they get planning permission. I ask the Minister of State to get the local authorities into building houses because they are after giving up and there is no sign of them. It is about time the planning guidelines that we have been waiting for for the past six or seven years appeared. The Minister of State has not yet addressed that issue and I ask him to do something about it.

Nach bhfuil an t-ádh dearg orm a bheith ag caint ag deireadh an chomhrá seo. Bhí mé ag éisteacht le go leor daoine a bhí ag caint sa Teach seo. Aontaím le go leor rudaí a bhí le rá acu. Is gá dom buíochas a gabháil leis na lads a bhí san audiovisual room inniu. Bhí siad go hiontach. Tá brón orm nach raibh mé ann don rud ar fad - bhí mé sa choiste. Gabhaim buíochas le Pádraig as a chabhrú. Táim i ngrúpa WhatsApp darb ainm “Gaeilge Policy” le Pádraig Ó Tiarnaigh, Julian de Spáinn agus Aodhán Ó Deá. Dá mbeadh leath den bhród agus fuinnimh atá ag na leaids sin sa Rialtas, bheadh gach duine ag labhairt Gaeilge sa tír seo. Nílim ag rá aon rud seafóideach ansin. Le bheith ionraic, tá an t-ádh orm. Is file í mo dheirfiúr. Nuair a bhí mé 15 bliana d’aois, dúirt sí liom nach labhróimid i mBéarla. Muna raibh an seans sin agam, ní bheadh aon Ghaeilge agam. Bhí mé i scoil lánBhéarla don mheánscoil. Rinne mé an coláiste trí Bhéarla. Táim ag obair ar Bhille le Pádraig Ó Tiarnaigh agus le Gaeloideachas. Tá mé díreach ag cur ceiste ar an Rialtas. Ba chóir don Aire Stáit na daoine a bhunaigh an Stát seo a shamhlú - na fir agus na mná. Dá mbeadh siad ag smaoineamh níos mó ná 100 bliain níos déanaí go mbeadh laghdú ar líon na ndaoine atá ag déanamh oideachas trí Ghaeilge, they would be turning in their graves. Is í an Ghaeilge páirt dár gcultúr agus de shaol na ndaoine sa Ghaeltacht. I always have the analogy for any event in Irish, of the purebreds in the Harry Potter world, who would be the people from the Gaeltacht, and then these mudbloods like me who learned Irish. It is sad but unless I become like my sister and much more intelligent when it comes to linguistics, I will never reach the level of Irish they have but the acceptance they have of my Irish is pure love and pure passion. I hear many people apologise for their level of Irish here. No one wants to hear them apologise. They want to hear people use it. One of the first things that these gentlemen outlined in their demonstration of what we can do as Teachtaí Dála was ár gcuid Gaeilge a úsáid chomh minic agus gur féidir linn. I really like to see Members of this House use it and always try to do it at the start and end of my speeches. That is all it is. It is the cúpla focal an t-am ar fad because that has an avalanche effect. I will get back to the cúrsaí tithíochta sa Ghaeltacht, bhí mé ag smaoineamh faoi go leor rudaí ansin. The solutions are there. The two Bills, including the Údarás na Gaeltachta (Amendment) Bill 2024, and the future Bill coming from the Government, need to have a fire put under them. We need to meet people from the Gaeltacht. Even in Baile Átha Cliath thuaidh, tá a lán daoine ann ag iarraidh Gaeilge a fhoghlaim agus a dhéanamh sa bhunscoil, sa mheánscoil agus sa choláiste ar an tríú leibhéal, ach níl an seans ann. Bhí Teachta eile ag smaoineamh faoi chúrsaí tithíochta agus cúrsaí uisce sa Ghaeltacht. Tá brón orm, níl an t-eolas chomh láidir agam is atá aige. Bhí sé ag caint faoin mBreatain Bheag agus an chaoi a bhfuil an Rialtas sa Bhreatain Bheag ag déanamh an méid is mó don Ghaeltacht gur féidir faoi ráta cánach for short-term lettings and for initiatives. Is brionglóid agam dá mbeadh árasáin Gaeltachta i mBaile Átha Cliath thuaidh - a new apartment build in north Dublin that was a designated Gaeltacht. Tá cairde agam tar éis Gaeilge a dhéanamh dá saoil ar fad, agus anois tá siad i ngach áit. Dá mbeadh árasáin Gaeltachta i mBaile Átha Cliath, bheadh sé iontach don Ghaeilge. Ní bheidh daoine sa Ghaeltacht sásta go ndeirim seo, ach tá an méid i mó daoine le Gaeilge i mBaile Átha Cliath faoi láthair. B’fhéidir nach bhfuil an leibhéal Gaeilge atá acu i gcomparáid leis an leibhéal atá ag daoine ón nGaeltacht, ach bogann daoine ón nGaeltacht go Baile Átha Cliath an t-am ar fad. Níl saol na Gaeilge ann dóibh go minic. Níl an saol oíche ná an community ann. Tá go leor perfect examples that we can copy. An Bille a bhfuil Pádraig ag obair air, is rud beag is é sin gur féidir linn a dhéanamh mar Rialtas with a big outcome. Sa programme for Government a cuireadh le chéile nuair a bhí mé ag dul isteach, bhí mé an-sásta le CEFR. Tá sé sa chlár, ach nílimid á dhéanamh. Bheadh sé i bhfad níos fearr má tá dalta ag teacht ó naíonra go Gaelscoil agus Gaelcholáiste agus go mbeadh grád ann, B2 nó B3, like the European common network. As the Minister of State can see and has heard from everyone who spoke here today, tá an grá agus an paisean ann. Tír gan teanga, tír gan anam.

Fáiltím roimh an deis plé a dhéanamh ar sholáthar tithíochta i gceantair Ghaeltachta. Ní chuirfidh an Rialtas in aghaidh an rúin seo maidir leis an ngá práinneach le tithíocht agus le pleananna an Rialtais an soláthar tithíochta a mhéadú go suntasach ar fud na tíre, lena n-áirítear ceantair Ghaeltachta. Le comhaontú an Tí, leanfaidh mé ar aghaidh le mo ráiteas i mBéarIa. My colleague, the Minister, Deputy Browne, has discussed in detail the suite of actions in the Government's housing action plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025-2030, that will increase the levels of housing supply and housing choice across the country, including in Gaeltacht areas. What is committed in the Government's housing plan with respect to the Gaeltacht is clear. In addition to the range of housing supports that are available nationally and the clear focus on tackling barriers to delivery, a national planning statement will be prepared for housing in the Gaeltacht. My Department will also continue to work with the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Údarás na Gaeltachta, and other stakeholders to support housing delivery, including in relation to the necessary infrastructure to support housing development in an Ghaeltacht. Considerable work has already been carried out by both Departments in developing the new national planning statement, which will be published in the first half of 2027. This will allow for a robust assessment of development proposals and implementation of any conditions that require a standard level of language competency to be demonstrated through the development management process in order to protect the linguistic and cultural heritage of a Gaeltacht area. Additionally, in relation to language standards, there is a strong link between the national plan for Irish language public services, the work of the Irish Language Services Advisory Committee and the amended Official Languages Act, all of which my colleague, the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, oversees. A significant feature of the strengthened Official Languages Act is the replacement of language schemes with language standards across the public service. To that end, a review of all existing language schemes is being finalised. An action plan for Irish-language public services was recently published, which sets out actions to be prescribed through the language standards as well as measures to support public bodies in their implementation. Consultation is to commence shortly through the mechanisms set out in the Act, starting with the advisory committee. I would also like to take the opportunity to acknowledge the important role and function of Údarás na Gaeltachta as the regional authority with responsibility for the economic, linguistic, social and cultural development of the Gaeltacht. An t-údarás operates in accordance with the Údarás na Gaeltachta Acts 1979 to 2010, as amended by the Gaeltacht Act of 2012, and has an overall objective to ensure that Irish remains the main language of the Gaeltacht and is passed on to future generations. Údarás na Gaeltachta is responsible for co-ordinating the language planning process within the 26 Gaeltacht language planning areas prescribed under the Gaeltacht Act 2012, with Foras na Gaeilge being responsible for co-ordination outside the Gaeltacht. An t-údarás and Foras na Gaeilge do not prepare language plans, rather, and in accordance with the Act, the community in every Gaeltacht language planning area, Gaeltacht service town and Irish language network must prepare a language plan for their own area so that it can be recognised under the Act. The language planning process is rooted in the practice that Gaeltacht and Irish-language communities play a central role in the promotion and strengthening of Irish as a community spoken language in their own areas. Currently, Údarás na Gaeltachta and Foras na Gaeilge support lead organisations that are recognised and representative of the public in preparing a seven-year language plan, following consultation with the public. These plans can include intentions regarding broader objectives and goals such as community capital projects, social infrastructure and services. Under the Gaeltacht Act 2012, the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht must complete a review of language plans under the language planning process. A review of the first ten language plans has been undertaken by the company Barr Feabhais Teoranta, which involves consultation with a wide range of organisations, Irish-language lead organisations and stakeholders. The review identified a number of recommendations to improve the implementation of the language planning process. The continued success of Údarás na Gaeltachta depends on its continued alignment with the changing needs of Gaeltacht communities. The Údarás na Gaeltachta (Amendment) Bill 2024 completed Committee Stage in Dáil Éireann last year. Although the re-establishment of elections to the board of an t-údarás is the main purpose of this Bill, it was decided to include a provision that would also support the provision of housing in the Gaeltacht given that this is one of the most pressing issues facing Gaeltacht communities and that the organisation is managing a significant portfolio of properties throughout the Gaeltacht. An t-údarás has, over a number of years, developed a level of expertise in providing wastewater facilities serving its network of business parks and industrial estates across Gaeltacht areas. Údarás na Gaeltachta has stated that discussions are under way with the local authorities in which there is an opportunity to work with Uisce Éireann to benefit from the existing infrastructure. Accordingly, the Bill provides for Údarás na Gaeltachta to be able to dispose of lands held by the organisation to an approved housing body or to a housing authority to provide housing in the Gaeltacht. The Private Members' motion we are discussing today proposes the reintroduction of a Gaeltacht housing grant scheme in accordance with the housing Acts. In this regard, I am informed that Government does not intend to return to the Gaeltacht housing grant schemes that were operational many years ago. However, the range of actions and significant investment in housing provided through the Government's housing action plan will also support increased housing supply in Gaeltacht areas. The Private Members' motion also proposes a stamp duty exemption for consideration. As indicated previously by my colleague, the Minister for Finance, such a measure, if introduced, would be extremely difficult to administer and control. I also understand that there could also be potential legal issues in seeking to apply such a measure that is selective on the grounds of a region and a cohort of persons. It should be noted, however, that both Údarás na Gaeltachta and approved housing bodies already enjoy stamp duty exemptions under section 25 of the Údarás na Gaeltachta Act 1979 and section 93A of the Stamp Duties Consolidation Act 1999, respectively. Furthermore, I would point to a significant level of funding that has been made available to Údarás na Gaeltachta to support the Irish language and regional development in the Gaeltacht. In 2026, an additional €2.5 million in funding was made available to Údarás na Gaeltachta to foster and expand funding a range of schemes. Overall, in 2026, €17.4 million in funding was allocated for administration, wages and pensions; €16.2 million capital to create employment, upgrade buildings and part fund strategic tourism projects; and € 7.5 million to fund community projects. This includes the appointment of a dedicated vacant homes co-ordinator for the Gaeltacht, funded by Údarás na Gaeltachta in partnership with local authorities, to help communities address vacancy issues. To conclude, I would note that the various actions and measures contained in the Government's housing action plan, coupled with the ongoing work being undertaken by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht in support of Gaeltacht communities, demonstrate the Government's commitment of the Gaeltacht. This work will be built upon over the coming months in implementing the various cross-sectoral actions for the provision of housing and strengthening of protections for, and the promotion of, the Irish language. Obviously, many of the Gaeltacht areas overlap with many of our islands and offshore islands. I note that many of the Deputies referenced that issue as well. I wholeheartedly agree with the idea of a unique approach to housing on our islands. We have seen the success in some of the Scottish western islands where they have introduced gateway housing. This is an opportunity whereby a certain small number of units the island can accommodate are built. That gives an opportunity for people to live in them and get a taste of island life. Obviously, it is different but if they can get the opportunity to experience what it is like and if they can adapt then that gives families the opportunity to choose island life and, therefore, fill the schools. Deputy Collins referenced Cape Clear earlier. He is obviously right to highlight that issue. We have a situation where the school, unfortunately, is reducing its numbers. There has to be a concerted effort to repopulate these islands. The same can be said for many of the other offshore islands, and Deputy Ward reference that as well. There needs to be an innovative approach to how we can ensure there is an appropriate housing strategy for islands because, certainly, the islands are unique in their nature. I thank all Deputies for their comments today and for their commitment and the clear passion they have demonstrated for the Irish language. It is incredible to see it. For that reason, we will not be opposing today's motion.

Tá cuid mhór fadhbanna ann ag an am seo. Tá cuid mhór fadhbanna ann maidir le tithíocht go ginearálta. Tá a fhios againn nach bhfuil go leor tithe inacmhainne agus níl go leor tithe sóisialta á thógáil ag an Rialtas faoin am seo. Tá fadhb ag na Gaeltachtaí. Níl mo Ghaeilge chomh maith is a ba chóir di a bheith. Am amháin, bhí sí réasúnta, nuair a bhí mé thart air 18 mbliana d’aois agus ag freastal ar Choláiste Bhríde i Rann na Feirste. Thosaigh Coláiste Bhríde in 1912 in Ó Méith i gContae Lú. Tar éis sin, nuair a bhí an teanga ag fáil bháis, bogadh é go dtí Rann na Feirste i dTír Chonaill thart ar 1926 - 100 bliain ó shin. Ghlac sé an áit sin toisc nach raibh teach tábhairne ann agus ní raibh bóthar ag dul tríd a bhí ag dul áit ar bith eile. Sin an réasún a bhí ag an Athair Ó Muirí. Bhí cuid mhór ceangal ag Dún Dealgan, go háirithe ag mo chlann féin agus m’athair. Mar a dúirt mé cheana féin, ní chleachtaim í minic go leor. Sin an fhadhb atá agam. Bhí mé breá sásta nuair a bhí mé óg go raibh mé in ann dul chuig Coláiste Bhríde agus go raibh mé in ann fanacht i lóistín thart ar Rann na Feirste. Bhí cuid mhór tithe ann. Bhí Hughie Doherty, Nóra Frank Chonaill agus cuid mhór eile ann. Níl mé cinnte go mbeimis in ann sin a dhéanamh as seo amach más rud é nach bhfuilimid chun acmhainní, plean agus gníomh a dhéanamh mar gheall ar na fadhbanna atá ann. An fhadhb atá ann ná cá bhfuil na treoirlínte maidir le cúrsaí pleanála. Bhí Tinteán agus BÁNÚ ag agóid lasmuigh de Theach Laighean. Cén fáth a raibh siad ann? Níl siad in ann tithe a thógáil nó a fháil ar chíos sna Gaeltachtaí. Táimid ag caint ar ghnáthdaoine, daoine óga agus daoine óga atá ag iarraidh go mbeidh a dteaghlach ag cónaí sa Ghaeltacht is ag caint Gaeilge. Níl na hacmhainní nó aon phlean ann. Táimid breá sásta nach bhfuil an Rialtas ag dul in éadan an rúin, ach caithfí rud éigin a dhéanamh mar, faoin am seo, tá faic déanta. Sin í an fhadhb atá ann. Níl sé maith go leor. Bhíomar i gcónaí ag éisteacht le caic - ní féidir rud ar bith eile a rá - maidir le bheith ag fanacht ar rud éigin ón Roinn Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail, agus Gaeltachta ar thithíocht agus gan a bheith ábalta rud ar bith a dhéanamh, ach táimid go fóill ag fanacht ar an bpíosa eolais sin. Níl sé maith go leor ar chor ar bith. It is as simple as this: until we deal with the issues as regards Airbnb and delivering housing for those in the Gaeltacht, we will continue to see that people have no choice but to protest. I welcome the fact that the Government has not gone against this legislation, but I would like people to have the opportunity I have. I will make the promise I make every year; táim chun níos mó cleachtadh a dhéanamh sa bhliain atá romhainn.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta Ó Murchú agus gach duine a labhair sa díospóireacht seo. Measaim go bhfuil sé ríthábhachtach go bhfuil díospóireacht againn dírithe ar ábhar ar leith chuile bliain. Toghadh mise tamall maith ó shin in 2002. Bíonn ráitis i gceist uair sa bhliain. An fhadhb le ráitis nach bhfuil ceangailte le haon rud ná gur féidir le haon duine teacht isteach anseo agus béalghrá a chraobhscaoileadh ó thaobh na teanga. Measaim go raibh sé go maith anuraidh agus go bhfuil sé go maith i mbliana go bhfuil rún os comhair na Dála. Anuraidh, chuir an Rialtas i gcoinne an rúin a bhí againn maidir leis an oideachas trí Ghaeilge. I mbliana, níl sé ag cur i gcoinne an rúin seo agus tiocfaidh mé ar ais chuige sin. Tá buíochas ag dul dóibh siúd ar fad a ghlac páirt sa díospóireacht, i mBéarla, i nGaeilge, nó i pé teanga a bhí siad ag déileáil leis. Tá sé tábhachtach go dtarlaíonn sé sin. Aithním nach bhfuil an leibhéal Gaeilge ag gach duine is atá agamsa. Is trua sin, ach sin mar atá. Sin an fáth go bhfuil muid ag iarraidh a chinntiú go mbeidh tobar na Gaeilge fós beo amach anseo. Tobar na Gaeilge is ea na ceantair Ghaeltachta, áiteanna ina bhfuil an Ghaeilge á labhairt mar ghnáththeanga laethúil an gnáthphobail. Má tá dainséar ann - agus tá sé ann - caithfimid a chinntiú go nglacfaimid céimeanna eisceachtúla ar leith chun an Ghaeilge, an Ghaeltacht agus pobail sna ceantair Ghaeltachta a chosaint. Sin an fáth go bhfuil na céimeanna gur chóir a ghlacadh leagtha amach sa rún seo. Sa rún chomh maith, táimid ag leagan amach go bhfuil an Rialtas seo, agus Fianna Fáil agus Fine Gael thar an mblianta, le cáineadh, toisc an neamhaird ar dhein na páirtithe sin ar mholtaí ón gcoiste Gaeilge faoi mhaoiniú d’Údarás na Gaeltachta, faoin mhoill ar thoghcháin an údaráis agus cumhachtaí breise a thabhairt dó, agus faoin mhoill ar rialáil ar chíos gearrthéarmach agus ar Airbnb, atá ag déanamh scrios ar an méid áit atá ar fáil ar chíos sna ceantair Ghaeltachta. Tá siad ag fágáil oifigigh pleanála teanga ag déileáil le moill agus frustrachas toisc nach bhfuil infheistiú nó cur chuige ceart ann ó thaobh an Stát de i leith an obair ríthábhachtach sin atá ag teastáil ionas gur féidir linn cosaintí a dhéanamh. Ba cheart go mbeimid ag obair i gceart chun cuidiú le lánúin sna ceantair Ghaeltachta, agus leis an ghnáthphobal, teacht timpeall ar na constaicí atá rompu ó thaobh an Ghaeilge a bheith ina ghnáththeanga acu. Tá an Rialtas ag admháil agus é ag glacadh leis an rún seo go bhfuil sé tar éis dian-scrios a dhéanamh ar chearta teanga agus gan fiú sop in áit scuaibe maidir leis an tithíocht Gaeltachta. Má tá an Rialtas ag admháil go bhfuil sé freagrach as sin, níor chóir go mbeadh sé ag fanacht mar Rialtas, ach beidh sé ann. Ag glacadh leis an rún seo, caithfidh an Rialtas a chinntiú go bhfuil beart á dhéanamh de réir na briathra sa rún seo. Ba cheart dó tacaíocht a thabhairt do na moltaí atá sa rún. Gheall an Rialtas seo treoirlínte pleanála Gaeltachta faoi Nollaig 2021, sa chéad ráithe de 2022, roimh dheireadh 2022, go luath in 2023, i lár 2023, faoi Cháisc 2024 agus i lár 2024. Fiú tar éis cumhacht na treoirlínte foilsithe a bheith scriosta as an dlí, tá siad fós á dhéanamh, mar a dhein an Taoiseach an tseachtain seo caite. Sin cé chomh seafóideach is atá an cur chuige faoi láthair. Bhí mé ag caint leis an Aire, an Teachta Calleary, níos luaithe agus tá súil agam go mbeidh sé sásta suí síos, cur chuige ceart a shocrú agus na deontais agus na cinntí breise a sholáthair ó thaobh an méid atá ráite ag an Aire Stáit, an Teachta O'Sullivan; sé sin, go mbeidh an t-údarás in ann déileáil le ceisteanna tithíochta, séarachais nó infreastruchtúir agus na cumhachtaí sin a roinnt leis na comhairlí contae más gá. Ba cheart go mbeadh cur chuige i bhfad Éireann níos tapúla i gceist ionas go mbeidh an plean náisiúnta ó thaobh pleanáil sna Gaeltachtaí foilsithe, ní ag deireadh 2027, ach i mbliana. Dúradh linn faoi na treoirlínte thar na blianta go raibh an obair ar fad déanta, agus nach raibh gá fanacht go dtí go raibh siad foilsithe. Má tá an obair déanta, ní chóir go mbeadh sé ró-dheacair an obair sin a bhogadh trasna go dtí an coincheap nua atá ann agus iad a bheith foilsithe. Tá an rud ceannann céanna i gceist ó thaobh Bille Údarás na Gaeltachta. Cad é an moill? Cén fáth a bhfuilimid ag fanacht air? Ba cheart dúinn díriú isteach ar na rudaí praiticiúla atá luaite agamsa agus ag na dreamanna a bhí lasmuigh inniu. Tá tacaíocht agus moladh ag dul do BÁNÚ, Tinteán, CATU, Todhchaí na Tuaithe agus dreamanna mar sin, agus do ghnáthphobail na Gaeltachtaí as an bhfoighne atá acu ar shlí amháin ach freisin as an bhfearg atá siad ag léiriú anois toisc nach bhfuil an obair ag tarlú. Molaim an rún seo. Tá súil agam nach bhfuil muid chun glacadh leis ach go leanfaidh an obair ar na ceisteanna atá ardaithe anseo ag gach uile duine a ghlac páirt sa díospóireacht.