Official Languages Amendment Bill
Michael Kitt questions the timetable for the Official Languages (Amendment) Bill after the Government dropped a proposed merger of the Language Commissioner and Ombudsman’s functions. The Minister says the heads were cleared in April, the Commissioner’s role will remain with the relevant Department, and the change will not delay the Bill, which is expected before the summer.
Tá ceist agat faoi Bille na dteangacha oifigiúla (leasú), the official language (amendment) Bill. One of the recommendations of this Bill was to merge the functions of the Language Commissioner and the Ombudsman's office, among other issues. It was also going to abolish the Placenames Commission. I understand the merging of the Coimisinéir Teanga and the Ombudsman's office is not going ahead, and I welcome that. I do not know why the Government ever decided to try to merge those two bodies.
Comment on this
It was recommended by a committee that you set up.
Comment on this
No, Deputy Kitt's party in government.
Comment on this
I ask the Minister whether, now that the Government has decided not to merge the Coimisinéir Teanga and the Ombudsman's office, this will further delay the taking of this Bill.
Comment on this
The heads were cleared by Government on 4 April and we had a debate on that issue. I did not resist much in taking responsibility for answering to the Dáil for the Coimisinéir Teanga and it is appropriately left with an tAire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta, where it will stay. That amendment will not delay the presentation of the Bill to the House.
Comment on this
Hopefully, before the summer session.