Madam, - I write to express my disappointment at the proposal by Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny to abandon Irish as a compulsory subject for the Leaving Certificate.
While I acknowledge the need to look at the way Irish is taught to young people, I believe that making Irish optional for the Leaving Certificate is certainly not the solution.
Irish is a precious cultural jewel which has always been an integral part of the Irish education system. Any change to the present status of the language would have serious implications for that system. It is a key part of our culture, our heritage and our national identity. Only last summer the language was given official status in the European Union and therefore any plan to lower its standing in our State education system would raise many questions among our European neighbours.
It is time to support all those who work so diligently and enthusiastically at all levels in our schools, universities, Irish-language organisations and beyond to promote the Irish language. It would be of tremendous assistance if our politicians would support the development of Irish as a very important subject in our education system. "Ní neart go cur le chéile". - Yours, etc,
DONALL Ó MURCHÚ, St Aloysius College, Carrigtwohill, Co Cork.
Madam, - I have long believed that Irish should be a subject of choice in the Leaving Certificate. When working many years ago with the Association for Choice in Irish I learned that the majority of my fellow-citizens shared this belief.
For the first time, the need for this change has been recognised by a political party, Fine Gael, so now the matter can now be resolved at the ballot box.
In addition to removing Leaving Certificate compulsion, our association had a second objective: the elimination of a pass in Irish as a blanket condition for entry into the National University of Ireland.
We understood at that time that certain colleges would change this condition as soon as a future government removed compulsion in the Leaving Certificate.
I hope we are in sight of the day when both of these changes will come about. - Yours, etc,
DONAL FLYNN, Breffni Terrace, Sandycove, Co Dublin.
A chara, - It was with much disappointment that I heard the Fine Gael leader's proposal to end compulsory Gaeilge. I believe this is a retrograde step that makes a political football out of something that should be above politics.
In recent years requirements of proficiency in An Ghaeilge for State/civil service positions have gradually been watered down, most recently in An Garda Síochána. Yet at the same time, official EU status has finally been achieved for Irish and we also have an overdue requirement in the Language Act that State organisations treat gaeilgeoirí with the same respect as others.
The real point is being missed here. The teaching of Irish in English-medium schools has largely failed not because of the compulsory aspect but because of a lack of emphasis on teaching Irish as a living spoken language - which, of course, it is. This needs to be corrected now. In addition, it should be made a clear advantage to possess the first language of the State when applying for State jobs. - Is mise,
DOMHNALL Ó MUIRÍ, Ascaill Ros na gCaor, Leamhcán, Co Bhaile Átha Cliath.
Madam, - Three cheers for Enda Kenny! I back his proposal wholeheartedly. But why are the powers that be going to decide its outcome? Why are the children who have to sit these exams not given a voice? They are our future.
Let the schools hold a referendum among fourth, fifth and sixth-year students to let them have a say. May I also propose that Irish be given more points in the Leaving Certificate? That might sway a lot of students. - Yours, etc,
Mrs VICTORIA MADIGAN, Riversdale Avenue, Terenure, Dublin 6.