Motion ends controversy over Dingle placename

THE HOUSE approved an amendment ending the Dingle placename controversy in Kerry.

Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan said “An Daingean” would be dropped and replaced by “Daingean Uí Chúis” in Irish and “Dingle” in English.

He said the change was being made by way of amendment to the Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011.

He said the official name of Dingle was changed to “An Daingean” in an order made by then minister for Gaeltacht affairs Éamon Ó Cuív in December 2004.

“As is well documented at this stage, the change in name has provoked an extended debate, with significant opposition locally based on a perceived lack of consultation prior to the making of the placenames order and the wish to preserve the name ‘Dingle’ from a tourism perspective,” he added.

Mr Hogan said a campaign was established to change the name of the town to “Dingle-Daingean Uí Chúis” and a local plebiscite endorsed this overwhelmingly.

Niall Collins (FF) said his party would not oppose the motion, adding that the Dingle situation was closely followed, especially by those living in the county.

Welcoming the bilingual placename of “Dingle-Daingean Uí Chúis”, Brendan Griffin (FG, Kerry South) said there had been no need for what was a very long-running controversy in west Kerry.

Mr Griffin said it had cost the exchequer much money, and the people of Kerry South, particularly muintir Chorca Dhuibhne, were grateful to Mr Hogan for acting so swiftly.