Irish language policy angers public
Via Newshound
BY DAVID LYNCH
29/06/2006
The controversy surrounding Fine Gael’s Irish language policy continued yesterday.
Glór na nGael claimed 5,000 people had signed an on-line petition against party leader Enda Kenny’s stance.
Last year Mr Kenny said he believed the language should be removed as a compulsory subject in the leaving certificate examination.
“Glór na nGael committees all around the country have been collecting names on paper in their local area this last number of weeks” said Nóra Welby Glór na nGael spokesperson.
“We also have postcards which the public can sign and post a message back to us about the policy and their unhappiness with it.
“This campaign will be touring the country in the coming weeks and we are delighted with the positive and supportive response from the public since we began this petition.”
Last week Mr Kenny renewed his call for a radical re-look at how the language is taught.
“We must examine the training that is being given to teachers and ensure teachers are confident in Irish,” he said.
“That is so they can use their skills in the best possible way when in the classroom.
“Enhanced immersion in the language, and interaction with native speakers for both new and practising teachers, is urgently required.
“At the time of the next general election, Fianna Fáil will have been in power for 18 of the last 20 years.
“In this time, they have presided over a dramatic decline in the Irish-language proficiency of primary school children.”
Glór na nGael said it will be offering the people of Letterkenny, Co Donegal the opportunity to sign the petition against Fine Gael policy tomorrow.
The petition will be taken between 12 and 3 pm on the Main Street in Letterkenny and in the area of the Bus Éireann station in Letterkenny.
The Glór na nGael on-line petition is at www.petitiononline.com/gaeilge.
