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.

Secondly, Ms Hanafin has stated repeatedly that 140,000 more people classified themselves as Irish speakers in the 2002 census compared with the census in 1996, which she sees as evidence that the language is thriving.

However, this figure is unreliable as it gives no real indication as to their true ability to use the language, other than the fact they are able to tick a box on a census form.

Far more reliable evidence, which she fails to mention, includes a report by her own department on the standard of Irish in primary schools, the results of which are so bad that she has chosen to bury it, and a report last year from the Educational Council for Gaeltacht schools which concluded that 10% of children in Gaeltacht areas complete their primary and secondary schooling with little or no standard of Irish.

The annual reports of the Language Commissioner also show that the €500 million being spent annually on teaching Irish isn’t reaping the desired results.

The minister has again said she is committed to keeping Irish as a compulsory Leaving Certificate subject, saying last week: “What we must do is ensure that young people enjoy learning the language, not encourage them to turn their back on it.” What she refuses to recognise, however, is that compulsion itself has encouraged children to turn their backs on the language. Children rarely enjoy something which is forced upon them. Irish is no exception.

Compulsion, as the political engine to revive Irish, has failed yet Ms Hanafin insists it must be an integral part of any plan to revive Irish.

The Irish language is in a state of peril, and this must be faced up to no matter how unpleasant the realities. The minister’s piecemeal efforts last week show a distinct lack of commitment on the part of the Government to do just that.

Radical action is needed to drag the Irish language into the 21st century. No amount of Governmental guff can change that.

Barry Walsh

Vice President

Young Fine Gael

Brookfield Hall

Castletroy

Limerick