Irish only need apply policy is challenged

A ROW over a county council’s insistence that a new housing scheme be restricted to occupants who speak Irish is to go to an oral hearing next week — where evidence will have to be given through Irish.

The hearing, ordered by An Bord Pleanála, is the first major challenge to Galway County Council’s controversial decision to attach the Irish-speakers only condition to planning permissions granted to developments in sensitive Gaeltacht areas.

Developers Hyberg Ltd received permission in June this year to build 17 houses at Bothuna Thoir in Spiddal, Co Galway, with the condition that the homes must be for the exclusive use of occupants who have competency in Irish.

Prospective buyers were to be put through a test to prove their language skills were up to scratch.

Hyberg, however, were given outline planning permission in 2002 when the previous development plan was in effect and are expected to argue they should not have to comply with a condition that did not exist at that time.

A third-party appeal by Irish language campaigners Grúpa Aitreoiori, will argue that the condition does not go far enough in guaranteeing that the area remains solely an Irish speaking community.