Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

This has been the policy of successive Governments since the foundation of the State. Many policies have changed, but the policy of promoting the Irish language to maximise those who speak it has not changed. The point made by the Deputy is whether we get the best value for the effort and money invested. It is a point for debate and I will not disagree with any of the experts who have examined this. I presume Irish is the only compulsory subject of the 34 mentioned by the Deputy because it is the only subject that is our native language. Many people drop out or do not engage with the other subjects because there is no compulsion to take them. The argument is that if Irish is not compulsory will fewer people study it. It does not apply to families that have a passionate interest in Gaelscoileanna. The people that have an interest in doing well in Irish because they like it or are involved in Cumann Lúthchleas Gael and dancing groups will always have an interest in Irish, because they are pursuing that interest outside of school. Such people happen to be more proficient in Irish and have a greater love for it. What about everyone else? I cannot answer that question as I do not know. Will everybody else speak less Irish if there is a level of compulsion, or will they bother? There are many good activities, such as the Gaelscoileanna, the work of TG4, the efforts of the teacher training colleges and the Irish summer colleges. I certainly agree that the complicated grammar studied in schools does much to put people off the language. If there was more emphasis on spoken language, we would certainly be better off and I would certainly be better at the language.

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