Mr. Kevin De Barra:

Regarding the two questions on Irish language issues, the first was on whether there had been any engagement by the Department. Exceptions have been made elsewhere in the Bill. Our logical recommendation is that an exception be made of Gaelscoileanna and that an interview be allowed. The latter would be informal and not very structured. Rather, it would allow the principal to meet the parents and ascertain whether the child is being raised through Irish. If application forms are the sole means of ascertaining a child’s language background, every parent could tick a box and claim to be raising his or her child through Irish. We want the committee to recommend that an exception be made for Gaelscoileanna at primary school level so that a board of management can have the discretion to meet parents.

Many colleagues have mentioned discrimination. We want to ensure that people who raise their children through Irish are not discriminated against in their children’s access to education through Irish at bunscoil and meanscoil levels.