In relation to the Minister's statement pertaining to signposts, would he agree that from the tourist point of view regulations whereby roadsigns can be erected by local authorities in Gaeltacht areas in the Irish language only should be changed?

I did not follow the Deputy's question.

At present local authorities are precluded by law from erecting bi-lingual signs in a Gaeltacht area. From the tourist point of view, in towns where the English names are completely different from the Irish version, I feel these signs should be bi-lingual.

If they were they would be torn down.

I am not sure I would agree. I should like to think about it a little. I can see where it would be helpful from the tourist point of view. But in Gaeltacht areas, where it is so necessary for the culture of this country and its language that the Gaeltacht be preserved and allowed to grow — a very delicate plant — we should be very careful in making any change that might hinder that growth.

My point is that the people of the Gaeltacht know where they are going and would be familiar with the area——

There is more to it than that.

For example, if one takes the town of Mount Charles, which in Irish is Teamhnach an tSalainn, there is no association whatsoever.

I would not like to reply here to that. I have a certain amount of sympathy from the point of view of the tourist with what the Deputy is saying, but I would not like to make a change lightly.