Ms Anna Ní Ghallchóir:

I am conscious that I forgot to answer one of Deputy Sandra McLellan's questions. I will come back to it.

If I may say so, as a teacher, Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan is being very hard on himself. I am not sure there is anybody who is incapable of learning a second language. There is nothing in any research to suggest that is the case. Research shows that motivation is key in learning. If one is determined to learn, really has to learn or wants to learn, one will do so. I have mentioned that the languages centre in Maynooth organises a suite of Irish language examinations. One of our best students this year was a Dutch lady living in England who had spent no more than a fortnight in Ireland but learned Irish to a very high level. There is no doubt, therefore, that motivation is key.

Deputy Flanagan asked about the role of Údarás na Gaeltachta in this regard. We are always aware that we have to give those who want to come back to Irish an opportunity to do so. I see this time and again in my job because we deal with many adult learners. We have to ensure the teaching of Irish is professionalised. That is a mantra I use when speaking about this issue. It is sometimes the case that those who teach Irish to adults are not qualified teachers. People need to be trained in that sector for this type of teaching and support must be provided for them. That is something we do at a relatively small level, for a number of reasons, in my current job. We offer a diploma in the teaching of Irish to adults, the only one of its kind in the country. There are 15 students scattered throughout the country taking the course which is sponsored by Foras na Gaeilge. The idea is that we will train them to train others. There are many excellent examples of good practice among teachers of adults. In some other cases, the teachers are very passionate about the language, but sometimes passion is not enough. One needs to be professional and receive proper training. I agree with the Deputy that many people have learned Irish badly or have had a very negative experience of learning the language. I assure him that many have returned to it and succeeded in learning it.

Deputy Sandra McLellan asked about my background in linguistics and sociolinguistics. Not too long ago somebody at work accused me of being an entrepreneur. When I took up my current job 18 and a half years ago, I inherited a very small department with three full-time and ten part-time staff. My department currently has seven full-time and over 30 part-time staff. The exact figures tend to fluctuate. Some 80% of my budget comes from outside the university. I saw that there was an opening for the examinations we have introduced at eight centres in Ireland. The Irish College in Paris had just opened as the Centre Culturel Irlandais and I noted that there was an opening for people to study Irish at the centre. Likewise, we made tests available when people were starting to study Irish at New York University. My philosophy has always been to do something about it when I see a gap in language provision. While I would not like to overstate it, I am a bit of an entrepreneur also. I am certainly used to looking for money.