Irish Examiner view: Lack of urgency in debate on teaching of Irish

Suggestion that Department of Education would prefer to leave current system of teaching as it is rather than rocking the boat

The standard of Irish achieved by students who have spent 14 years being taught the language was described this week as 'shameful'.

It has been a testing week for the education sector. Controversy flared in recent days when Education Minister Norma Foley pondered curtailing career breaks for teachers, while staff shortages are so acute in schools all over Ireland that importing teachers from the UK to fill positions is being considered.

Now we have been told by Mícheál Ó Foighil, manager of Coláiste Lurgan in Connemara, that the standard of Irish is “shameful”, adding that the minister for education should be concerned by the level of Irish achieved by students who have spent 14 years being taught the language.