Two-thirds of students say Irish should remain compulsory to Leaving Cert level

More than 80% surveyed said they believed greater emphasis was put on writing and reading the language, despite most feeling that emphasis should be put on speaking the language.

Students strongly support Irish remaining a compulsory Leaving Cert subject but believe more emphasis should be placed on speaking the language.

New research published by the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) surveyed more than 1,500 third-level students about their opinions on the teaching of Irish in the second-level education system.