How can an opt-out clause boost use of Irish?

FINE Gael’s Cllr Jim Daly singles out (Irish Examiner letters, June 23) Conradh na Gaeilge president Daithí Mac Cárthaigh for criticism — but there are more, including over 4,500 people who have taken the time to sign a petition on the internet instigated by another organisation, Glór na nGael.

Perhaps he can explain the logic behind the statements of his party leader, Enda Kenny, who said last March: “My vision for Irish in our education system is simple. I believe we should equip our people, and particularly our young people, with a real, a useful, and a communicative knowledge of the Irish language”. This sounded wonderful, but then he added the breathtaking statement which has caused all the hoo-haw: “I believe that after students have completed the Junior Certificate, they should be offered the choice to take Irish to Leaving Certificate level.”

Nowhere does he say how this choice will “equip our people, and particularly our young people, with a real, a useful, and a communicative knowledge of the Irish language.”

Perhaps Cllr Daly can enlighten us as to how “Irish must play a central role in our education system” if a student opts out of learning it.

Eoin Ó Riain

Caorán

Baile na hAbhann

Co Galway