GALWAY OPPOSITION TDs WALKOUT OVER GAELTACHT BILL

Date Published: 19-Jul-2012

Opposition TDs have walked out of the Daíl in a row with the Government over the Gaeltacht Bill.

Fianna Fails Galway West Deputy Eamon Ó' Cuív led what he claims was a 'dignified walkout' in protest at the Government finalising the legislation before the Summer recess.

Galway East TD Michael Kitt and Galway West Independent TD Noel Grealish were also part of the walk-out.

The walk out of Sinn Fein, Fianna Fail and the Independents came after the Government refused to discuss any of their amendments to the Bill.

The Government won a vote to finish the bill by 2:30 this afternoon.

The bill changes the funding structure for employment schemes in Gaelteacht areas, and gives the Minister the power to apoint board members to Údaras na Gaelteachta.

The number of board members will be reduced from 20 to 12, five elected by county councils and the remaining seven by the Minister for the Gaeltacht.