Sir, – The National Planning Statement for rural and Gaeltacht areas agreed by Government and released on June 30th sets out measures to be adopted by planning authorities for Gaeltacht areas, supposedly with the objective of “protecting the culture and linguistic heritage” of Gaeltacht areas. (“New rural housing policy will end ‘Eircode lottery’ approach to planning, Minister says,” June 30th.)However, if implemented, it would reduce rather than enhance the actual protection afforded by many county councils to many Irish-speaking areas of the Gaeltacht in existing county development plans. Two examples should suffice to illustrate the problem:In the Cois Fharraige area of Conamara, under existing planning rules as operated by Galway Council, housing developments are required to reserve 80 per cent of units for Irish speakers for 15 years, compared with 58 per cent of houses for 10 years only under the new planning regulations.In the Déise Gaeltacht, under existing planning rules as operated by Waterford County Council, housing developments of two or more houses are required to reserve 80 per cent of units for Irish speakers for 15 years, compared with 37 per cent of houses for 10 years only under the new planning regulations.It goes without saying that the protection of the linguistic heritage of the Gaeltacht and the promotion of Irish as the community language in the few remaining Irish-speaking areas is not going to be enhanced by weakening the safeguards already in operation.A rethink is needed. – Yours, etc,DONNCHA Ó hÉALLAITHE,Cois Fharraige,Co na Gaillimhe.