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Pringle supports return of election process for Údarás board
- Updated: 16th July 2024
Independent TD for Donegal, Thomas Pringle, has supported the return of elections for the Údarás na Gaeltachta board, calling it more fair and democratic.
The deputy also said Údarás should strengthen its focus on culture and heritage.
Addressing the Dáil during a debate last Thursday, Deputy Pringle said: “I support this legislation and its intention to amend Acht um Údarás na Gaeltachta, 1979, to change the current nomination and selection process governing the appointment of the board of Údarás na Gaeltachta under the Gaeltacht Act 2012.
“I always disagreed with the nomination process that has been in place since 2012 and I welcome the return of the election process, which is far more fair and democratic.
“The Irish language is an essential part of our cultural heritage and national identity. It is steeped in tradition and history, but there is also a very important place for the language in present-day Ireland and for generations to come.
“We need to value the role that the language plays in modern-day Ireland and realise its full potential. We must also value the importance of our Gaeltacht areas in preserving and strengthening the national language, and Údarás na Gaeltachta plays a vital role in ensuring this,” he said.
The deputy was speaking on Údarás na Gaeltachta (Amendment) Bill 2024.
Deputy Pringle said: “Since its establishment, Údarás na Gaeltachta has done a lot to develop the Gaeltacht economy and to strengthen and preserve Irish as the main language in those regions. It has focused mainly on industrial development, regional development, community development and language planning and has made many gains in these areas.
“However, it is clear that Údarás na Gaeltachta lacks a culture and heritage focus and I believe that this is something that we should be considering going forward. Economic development should be celebrated, but cultural development is what will enrich our Gaeltacht regions and instil a deep appreciation of our language. Culture, heritage and community are what give our language its soul and we must not forget that in our pursuit of economic gains.
“It is for this reason that I believe that Údarás needs to reconsider its functions and maybe the appointment of the new board will create an opportunity to do so,” he said.
The deputy also agreed with the view that election candidates should be nominated by the public and that board members should not be members of a local authority, Houses of the Oireachtas or the European Parliament. “I am glad to see the legislation has included this,” he said.
Deputy Pringle noted an amendment that says An tÚdarás may sell or otherwise dispose of land to an approved housing body for provision of housing in the Gaeltacht.
The deputy said: “Although I welcome the selling of land to a local authority for the provision of housing in the Gaeltacht, I do not agree with selling it to housing bodies. I strongly feel that local authorities should have the responsibility of housing in Gaeltacht regions, and in the country as a whole.
“It is vital to ensure the availability of affordable housing in Gaeltacht areas such as Gleann Cholm Cille and Gaoth Dobhair so that people have the opportunity to live and work in these communities and to contribute to the preservation of the Irish language and culture as well. And it should be the responsibility of the councils to ensure this vital provision,” he said.
