It has been reaffirmed that Irish speakers will have to be in the majority when it comes to occupying homes in new housing estates in Galway's Gaedhealtacht areas.

Galway councellors rejected a bid by a developer to relax the Irish language requirment for multi residential developments in Galway's Gaedhealtacht.

A majority of counsellors voted to retain the 80% Irish speakers clause for 15 years.

For Bearna, Maigh cuileann, Baile Chláir na Gaillimhe the requirment will be 20% for 15 years.

Developer Gerard Kilcoyne made the submission requesting that the language requirment be relaxed.

He argued that the clause should be amended to reflect the level of Irish spoken i gCois Fhairrge to 'encourage residential development'

Is this council housing policy, or is this policy for all private renters and buyers?

Comhairle tithuigheachta amháin chómh fada 'is is eól dhom, cúis amháin eile go bhfuil an Ghaedhilge ag a déigh deireadh san áit faraor.

Irish is already gone in them areas more or less