A chara, Fergus Finlay's misleading comments (August 15th, 1996) on the Minister for Education's attack on the Gaelscoileanna movement demands a reply.
His contention that the Minister's concern in this matter is to ensure viability of schools flies in the face of the facts. Four of the schools denied recognition have been so denied because they are viable schools and their viability would "upset" other schools, in their localities. This new definition of pluralism by Niamh Bhreathnach you can have your rights, as long as they don't upset the status quo is a denial of the rights of parents and children and is an affront to those who voted for the Labour Party in the last election in the (mistaken) belief that they were voting for pluralism and parental rights in education.
It is interesting that Mr Finlay enunciates the many ways in which Ms Bhreathnach's department supports gaelscoileanna as she has recently announced her intention to "examine" them another assault on this parental movement.
Perhaps the most striking aspect of Mr Finlay's letter is his attempt to dress up Niamh Bhreathnach's attack (seemingly with the full support of the Labour party) on the gaelscoileanna movement as a systematic and exciting approach to promoting the living language in a viable way". In this school of thought, Oliver Cromwell must surely be the champion of West of Ireland tourism and rural resettlement!
Is it any wonder cynicism stalks the land? Le meas, Feidhmeannach Gaelscoileanna, 7 Cearnog Mhuirfean, Baile Atha Cliath 2.