Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I will address amendment Nos. 3, 6, 10, 13, 22, 1089, 1090, 1095, 1099 and 1100 tabled by Deputies Ó Broin, Gould and Ó Snodaigh.

These amendments relate to the naming of key positions within an coimisiún pleanála in the Irish language. This is proposed to be done by redefining a number of terms already defined under section 8 and Part 17 of the Bill. The positions in scope are the chief planning commissioner, the deputy chief planning commissioner, the chief executive officer, and the governing board. It is also proposed to replace the general reference term "Commission", used extensively throughout the Bill, with the term "Coimisiún".

While I fully support the use and proliferation of the use of the Irish language, and the sentiment behind these amendments, great care must be taken here as regards the functionality and rationality of the proposed legislation. In summary, I do not oppose what is being proposed here – in fact I support what the Deputy is trying to achieve - and I will instruct my officials to consult with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel in relation to these proposals and to determine what options might be available from a drafting perspective.

I aim to move corresponding amendments on Report Stage that I hope can achieve what the Deputies are striving to achieve. As a result, I would ask the Deputies to consider withdrawing these amendments for the time being while additional work is carried out in relation to this important matter. I fully accept the rationale behind what Deputy Ó Broin is trying to achieve here, but I again ask that the amendments would be withdrawn while we give further consideration to how we might address the issue.