Ann Ormonde (Fianna Fail)

The Irish language for too long suffered a lack of commitment from successive Governments. Every side of the House has been guilty on that front. Nobody should act like a "Mr. Clean" in discussing how the language was treated in the past. Under this Administration, the language is undergoing a revival, as the facts show.

This is not to say we cannot do better. Many young people are still leaving school unable to converse through Irish. It is a sad reality that this Government is determined to tackle. Shortly after the Minister for Education and Science took up her post, she highlighted this as an issue for prioritisation. She stated her view that 50% of the marks in leaving certificate Irish should be for the oral examinations. I was interested to see this proposal recycled some time ago by the Opposition.

The syllabus for Irish at post-primary level is also built on the communicative approach, and it will have an integrated approach to develop the four language skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing. In every aspect of language learning — teacher training, curriculum, textbook, teaching methods and aids, support services and inspection systems for examinations — there should be an urgent and impartial review of the learning and teaching of Irish.

Irish should be taught in schools in a way that is interesting and relevant, and which will promote a positive attitude among our young people. I am very much against the proposal in front of us to abandon compulsory Irish after the junior certificate examination.