Upcoming Elections for Gaeltacht Authority Face Legislative Hurdles

Elections for the Gaeltacht Authority are set to face significant legislative hurdles as the Government has published a list of bills scheduled for discussion in the upcoming Dáil Éireann term. The Gaeltacht Authority Bill 2024 is currently at the fourth stage of legislative progress, but it must pass one more stage in the Dáil and five stages in the Seanad before reaching the President for approval.

In response to queries from The Journal, a spokesperson for the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht confirmed that the bill is advancing towards the potential return of elections for the Authority. The Minister is expected to provide opportunities for reviewing the elections.

“ The Gaeltacht Authority (Amendment) Bill 2024 completed the Committee Stage before the summer recess of the Dáil,” the spokesperson stated. “The bill is currently before Dáil Éireann at the Fourth Stage, or the Stage of the Report. The legislative process will continue, and the amendments mentioned by the Minister during the Committee Stage will be promoted.”

Elections for the Authority’s board were previously held until 2012, but they were suspended as part of the Government’s policies aimed at saving funds. Various political parties have repeatedly promised to reinstate elections for the Authority’s board. In its election manifesto prior to last November’s general election, the Fianna Fáil party committed to facilitating “direct elections for the board of the Authority.”

Currently, county councils that represent Gaeltacht areas include only representatives from Kerry, Galway, Mayo, and Donegal. Councils from Cork, Waterford, and Meath have the opportunity to collaborate over a three-year period, given their smaller Gaeltacht regions.

According to the proposed new legislation, the board will comprise twelve members, with ten elected to represent the Gaeltacht communities, while the remaining six will be appointed following a public competition.

Earlier this year, the Minister for the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary, announced the establishment of a new board with a two-year term. However, it was anticipated that the election for the Authority’s board would coincide with the presidential election scheduled for October 24, 2024, under the provisions outlined in the bill currently before the Dáil.

The Gaeltacht Policy is seeking support from the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme to ensure transparency and accessibility in the process.