Power grab by Government in Gaeltacht unacceptable – Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD

Sinn Féin Gaeilge, Gaeltacht and Arts spokesperson, Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD, has slammed as “anti-democratic” proposal that the Minister will appoint nearly 40% of future Údarás na Gaeltachta boards. The Government is proposing that 6 of 16 Údarás members are appointed by the Government without election in its Údarás na Gaeltachta (Amendment) Bill 2024 at Committee Stage this week in the Dáil.

Aengus who was chair of the Oireachtas Committee which conducted pre-legislative scrutiny on the Bill said:

“Not only will this week see Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael engage in unprecedented tampering with our democratic norms in the Dáil, but they are also set to undermine the long-awaited restoration of democratic elections in the Gaeltacht by seeking to control over a third of seats without a vote.

“It was a travesty of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael to suspend and scrap elections over a decade ago, usurping the key achievement of the Gaeltacht Civil Rights Movement with a system of ministerial patronage and appointments.

“It is clear that the Government parties are not ready to let go of their power to appoint cronies, however, as the bill foresees over 37.5% (6 out of 16) of Údarás members being appointed without election, twice as many as in the pre-2010 electoral system, just as elected members are slashed from 17 then to just 10 now.

“Imagine if a third of TDs in the Dáil were just appointed by the Taoiseach without elections, or a third of your local councillors?

“The Government cannot be allowed to stuff a body that was always meant to be the democratic voice of this minority community. Údarás must be free to stand up to Government when they are failing Gaeltacht communities, not serve as a puppet to impose the Minister’s will.

“Current proposals also mean smaller Gaeltacht communities like South Kerry, West Mayo and the islands will likely not have a voice at the table, all to make room for FF/FG cronies.

“Sinn Féin is calling for a fully-elected Údarás as the democratic voice of the Gaeltacht, with real powers over policies which could affect the survival of the Gaeltacht, particularly housing.

“We have tabled 29 amendments based on international best practice for minority assemblies and on the demands of Gaeltacht communities and proposals from Conradh na Gaeilge.

“Sinn Féin’s amendments would defend democracy, give voice to the different Gaeltacht communities and the Government has a chance to show they are open to the idea by accepting our calls.”

Ní féidir glacadh le cleasaíocht frith-dhaonlathach an Rialtais sa Ghaeltacht – Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD

Cháin urlabhraí Gaeilge, Gaeltachta agus Ealaíon Shinn Féin, Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD, an “cleasaíocht frithdhaonlathach” i moltaí an Rialtais go gceapóidh an tAire beagnach 40% de bhoird Údarás na Gaeltachta amach anseo. Tá an Rialtas ag moladh go mbeidh 6 as 16 comhalta an Údaráis roghnaithe ag an Rialtas gan toghcháin ina Bhille Údarás na Gaeltachta (Leasú) 2024 ag Céim an Choiste sa Dáil an tseachtain seo.

Dúirt Aengus a bhí ina Cathaoirleach ag an gCoiste Oireachtais a rinne grinnscrúdú réamhreachtach ar an mBille:

“Ní amháin go bhfeicfidh muid Fianna Fáil agus Fine Gael ag triáil sárú as cuimse a dhéanamh ar ghnáthnós daonlathach na Dála an tseachtain seo, ach tá siad freisin ar tí an bonn a bhaint ó athchóiriú na dtoghcháin daonlathach sa Ghaeltacht atá geallta le fada agus iad ag iarraidh smacht a choimeád ar bhreis is aon triain de na suíocháin gan vóta.

“Ba mhór an náire a bhí ann nuair ar chuir Fianna Fáil agus Fine Gael na toghcháin ar athló agus ar scoir go hiomlán os cionn deich mbliana ó shin, ag cur córas pátrúnachta agus roghnúcháin ag Airí in áit mór-éacht na Gluaiseachta Chearta Sibhialta sa Ghaeltacht.

“Is léir nach bhfuil páirtithe an Rialtais réidh scaoileadh lena gcuid cumhacht leathbhádóirí a cheapadh, áfach, agus an Bille ag moladh go mbeidh 37.5% (6 as 16) de chomhaltaí an Údaráis ceaptha gan toghcháin, dhá oiread an líon roghnaithe sa chóras toghchána roimh 2010, fad is atá comhaltaí tofa le gearradh siar ó 17 an tráth sin go dtí díreach 10 anois.

“Samhlaigh dá mbeadh aon triain den Dáil roghnaithe ag an Taoiseach gan toghcháin, nó aon triain de do chuid comhairleoirí áitiúla?

“Ní féidir cead a thabhairt don Rialtas eagras a bhí i gcónaí in ainm is a bheith ina ghuth daonlathach don phobal mionlach seo a stuáil. Caithfidh an tÚdarás a bheith saor chun seasamh suas don Rialtas nuair a dhéantar loic ar phobail Gaeltachta, in áit a bheith ar slabhra ag an Aire chun a thoil nó a toil a chur i bhfeidhm.

“Ciallaíonn na moltaí reatha freisin seans nach mbeidh guth ag an mbord ag pobail níos lú Gaeltachta ar nós Deisceart Chiarraí, Iarthar Mhaigh Eo, agus na hoileáin, ionas go mbeidh spás ag méiteanna FF/FG.

“Tá Sinn Féin ag éileamh Údarás atá go hiomlán tofa mar ghuth daonlathach na Gaeltachta, agus fíorchumhachtaí aige ar pholasaithe a chuirfidh isteach ar inmharthanacht na Gaeltachta, tithíocht ach go háirithe.

“Tá 29 leasú curtha isteach againn bunaithe ar an ndea-chleachtas idirnáisiúnta maidir le tionóil mionlacha agus ar éilimh ó phobail Gaeltachta agus moltaí Chonradh na Gaeilge.

“Chosnódh leasuithe Shinn Féin an daonlathas, agus tá deis ag an Rialtas a léiriú go bhfuileadar oscailte don choincheap sin trí ghlacadh lenár n-éilimh.”