Ann Ormonde (Fianna Fail)

I will not under any circumstances agree to the suggestion that Irish not be compulsory at post-junior certificate level. It is important to realise that the promotion of the Irish language cannot be advanced by schools alone, and that societal attitudes to the language also impact on students' desire to learn it. The Opposition stated that there was something wrong when we achieve a higher leaving certificate points total in French and German than we do in Irish. The problem is attitudinal, rather than a lack of commitment. With commitment to the methods of reviving a language there is no question of not being able to raise the standard of Irish at the leaving certificate, higher level paper.

I hope Senator Ulick Burke's party gives its full support to the reform efforts under way, rather than proposing to abandon compulsory Irish after junior certificate level. Given the centrality of our language to our culture and identity as a nation I hope Senators opposite will put party political difference aside and work with us to ensure the future of the Irish language is a bright one.

I sincerely hope young people enjoy learning Irish as a result of the reforms to be put in place, which are in line with the Minister's commitment to bring about a continual increase in the number of people speaking Irish on a daily basis.