Hanafin: FG policy puts Gaeilge in danger

MINISTER Mary Hanafin has said the survival of the Irish language is in the balance if Fine Gael is given a mandate to implement its education policy.

She said the party’s plans to stop making Irish a mandatory Leaving Cert subject would repeat the mistakes made in Britain when students opted to turn their back on languages.

Ms Hanafin said it was a “live or die” situation for the country’s native tongue and she feared for its status if Enda Kenny’s policy was adopted.