Futility of compulsion

IF Government has no place in the bedrooms of the nation, and formal religion no place in the governance of the State, then why should Government be able to make the study of Irish compulsory in the classrooms?

The writ and remit of Government is more than a matter of competence.

Its authority is also a matter of allegiance. And, in the end, allegiance is not something that can be legislated for.

Enda Kenny, himself a fluent Irish speaker, intuitively understands that. Eamon Ó Cuiv does not.

As for competence, the Government plans to make some of our gardaí in parts of Dublin competent in Mandarin with less than 60 hours study, while continuing to impose a regimen of incompetence in Irish which leaves the vast majority of people ‘tongued-tied’ after years of childhood foostering with the mechanics of the language.

Richard Dowling

Coote Street

Mountrath

Co Laois