Jim D'Arcy (Fine Gael)

I was delighted to hear, as reported on RTE radio this morning, that Chinese culture and language will now be offered on the transition year course, in particular in the week when An Bord Pleanála has granted permission for the first phase of an enormous Chinese trading hub on the edge of Athlone in County Westmeath. I urge students to continue to study a second language at secondary school. It is very important for them and for this country. We are at a disadvantage in the employment market as we do not have a strong tradition of fluency in a second language. I look forward to the day when Irish students are able to speak Chinese and other languages fluently as a second language. The first Chinese firm, SATIR, to locate its manufacturing base in Ireland, located it in Dundalk on the edges of my area. I look forward to the day when I hear Chinese being spoken in Haggardstown.