Councillors back homes for Irish speakers proposal

Housing specifically designated for Irish speakers could become a reality after city councillors agreed to include the provision in the draft City Development Plan.

At a local authority meeting, Chief Executive Brendan McGrath advised Cllr Cathal Ó Conchúir that his proposal was “fraught with practical issues”.

However, he felt that a tweak of the wording should make it more acceptable.

The 15 councillors present for the vote unanimously agreed that the proposal should be included in the draft plan: “To seek to designate a Gaeltacht-language planning area”.

Cllr Ó Conchúir told fellow members that in the Gaeltacht Act, local authorities were encouraged to assign housing for use by Irish speakers.

He said that such a plan was being proposed in Clondalkin, which could potentially involve 15 houses in an exclusive estate.

“People who want to raise their children through Irish will be given first priority,” he added.

Cllr Donal Lyons said that while he was not against the proposal, he questioned whether or not it was feasible.

Cllr Peter Keane was in favour of the idea, and said that something similar was included in the County Development Plan.

“It would strengthen the language in urban areas,” he said.

Cllr Pearce Flannery suggested that legal opinion should be sought, as the plan – as presented – could be challenged.

Similarly, Cllr Padraig Conneely thought there could be a human rights issue under EU law, if a Polish national, for example, challenged his/her right to one of these houses.

Cllr Terry O’Flaherty said it was a great concept, but questioned how it could be monitored.

She also pointed out that as a candidate who canvassed in Tirellan – which is one of three Gaeltacht areas in the city, along with parts of Menlo and Knocknacarra – residents were largely unaware that they were living in a Gaeltacht area.

Mayor of Galway, Cllr Frank Fahy, gave the proposal his full support.

“Within the city there are parts of it in the Gaeltacht – and we do speak the language,” he said.

“My daughter was reared in Ballybane, but is now a teacher in a gaelscoil.”

Mr McGrath said that Cllr Ó Conchúir’s concept was “laudable” but he advised a degree of caution.

“Implementing it would be fraught with practical issues, so if you wish to proceed I would use the words ‘To seek’ (to designate land), and then let it go to public display.”

The wording of the proposal was amended, and was unanimously accepted. Members of the public will be given a chance to voice their opinions on the wording of the draft plan, before it is brought back to the Council members to vote.