Sir, – “Kenny prioritises geography over gender” (Editorial, July 16th). Shouldn’t the Taoiseach in a mature democracy prioritise talent over both? – Yours, etc,
PAT CLOSE,
Ballymoney Road,
Ballymena,
Co Antrim.
Sir, – There is a solution to the problem of the small number of women Ministers of State caused by the Taoiseach “prioritising geography over gender”.
Since independence there have been so few women TDs that the only conclusion that can be reached is that political parties, and we as an electorate, have prioritised just about everything over gender when selecting candidates and voting.
The next election is, therefore, an appropriate time to change priorities and rectify the gender imbalance. – Yours, etc,
ANTHONY LEAVY,
Shielmartin Drive,
Sutton,
Dublin 13.
Sir,– I was shocked that Enda Kenny would appoint a team with no fluency in Irish to head the department with responsibility for Gaeltacht affairs. Now English will be imposed on every ministerial meeting related to Gaeltacht affairs.
Now Irish-language organisations will have English forced on them when dealing with the Minister of State responsible for the Irish language. The working language of this department now moves from Irish to English.
What a policy move that is. One swift blow to remove a language from a department set up to support that very language.
The Taoiseach should reflect on this and reverse his decision, as one would be left with the impression that Fine Gael policy is now to downgrade and dismantle spoken Irish wherever it can. Surely that cannot be the case? – Yours, etc,
RÓISÍN LAWLESS,
Ráth Chairn,
Áth Buí,
Co na Mí.
Sir, – I am somewhat taken aback by Éamon Ó Cuív’s preoccupation with the inability of the new Minister of State for the Gaeltacht to speak Irish fluently.
Perhaps somebody in the media might enquire of Mr Ó Cuív as to how you say as Gaeilge, “I was a member of the government that bankrupted this country, and my priorities seem to be strangely askew”.- Yours, etc,
TOM O’CONNOR,
Riverchapel,
Gorey,
Co Wexford.
Sir, – The greatest single challenge to a person in mastering a language, any language, is a change in linguistic behaviour that allows for confidence building. Most, but not all, languages require competencies or skills in reading, writing, comprehension, speech and usage.
The challenge for an adult, never mind a busy Minister, will be even greater, but given the right support, direction and opportunity, both of our new Ministers, if they are willing to do so, can significantly improve their Irish language ability over the coming months.
If and when they succeed they will be providing a salutary lesson to the Gaeltacht and saol na Gaeilge in general as it is probably not universally accepted or acknowledged that the survival of Irish as a community language will be largely dependent on people who are speaking in English exclusively today. – Is mise,
VINCENT HOLMES,
Seacrest,
Cnoc na Cathrach,
Galway.