Radical action needed to revive Irish language

THE limited measures to improve the standard of Irish teaching, announced recently by Education Minister Mary Hanafin, are to be welcomed, but they fall far short of what is necessary to have any meaningful impact.

It is clear the Government still has its head in the sand on the issue.

Firstly, the minister’s announcement that a team of 30 language experts will be appointed to help teachers improve their Irish is similar to a proposal made in recent months by Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny. At the time, Mr Kenny was criticised by Ms Hanafin, who said his proposals would “destroy the future of the language”. It seems the minister has had a welcome change of heart.