The Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs has invited submissions on the future of Údarás na Gaeltachta, the development agency charged with creating jobs and promoting Irish language and culture in the west.
Mr O Cúiv is carrying out a review of the powers and functions of Údarás na Gaeltachta following a report from the Enterprise strategy Group to the then minister for enterprise trade and employment, Ms Harney, last July.
The report recommended closer working relationships between enterprise agencies, particularly those concerned with foreign direct investment.
Currently promoting enterprise in the Republic are Shannon Development, Údarás na Gaeltachta, the Western Development Agency, the Council for the West, Enterprise Ireland, Forfás, the IDA, the regional assemblies and county enterprise boards .
Údarás na Gaeltachta was involved in a number of controversial decisions including the cancellation of the tender for sale of its holiday home complex in Connemara following controversy over the bid accepted by its board.
Gael Linn's chief executive, Mr Antoine Ó Coileáin, described the tendering procedure as "ill-conceived, fatally flawed" and a "fiasco". The row arose when the third-highest bid for the complex was accepted.
A notice issued by the Minister's Department yesterday said "it is expected that proposals will be brought to Government in mid-2005 to make appropriate revisions to the current legislative framework under which Údarás operates".
Submissions on the review will be accepted before close of business on Friday, February 25th, and should be addressed to Ms Helena O'Brien at the Department of Community Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Na Forbachta, Co na Gaillimhe, or by email to hobrien@pobail.ie
