asked the Minister for Education whether he is aware that the introduction of the use of standardised Irish spelling into "A" schools in the middle of a school year and the intended use of this medium in the forthcoming intermediate examination constitutes a grave hardship on children whose education has been pursued through the accepted Irish spelling; and if he will take steps to ensure that the application of this spelling will be modified in so far as it relates to such children.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Standardised Irish Spelling.
The circular which was sent to all Secondary Schools, including the "A" schools, regarding the adoption of a standard Irish spelling, stated that it would be introduced gradually, that in this year's examination papers its use would be restricted to easily recognisable forms, and that for the present candidates would not be required to use the standard spelling in their answers. In the circumstances I believe that the arrangement cannot cause any such hardship as the Deputy alleges, and apart from the fact that the papers have already been prepared for this year's examination, I consider that any revision of the arrangement at this stage is unnecessary.
Is the Minister aware that this attempt at simplification of spelling will only hasten the death of the Irish language?
I have seen a lot of criticism of the new spelling. I have seen very little of that criticism related to actual Irish words spelled in either one way or the other. I have seen a lot of descriptive writing involving much Irish history and some English history and I would appeal to those interested in the language to deal with spelling as a problem which reduces itself down to certain words. A document has been published by Government arrangement and that document is available to everybody. Any Deputy can get a copy of it free from the Dáil office. Any member of the public can get a copy of it outside for a few pence. I welcome both constructive and destructive criticism so that the situation may be fully known and assessed, but what is involved in this matter is merely spelling. That being so the problem can be dealt with word for word or, if necessary, by taking a class of words. I submit that the time for doing that has now passed. Enough has been said in wide general terms. Anybody interested in the language can now afford to come down to the fundamental question of spelling. I suggest that it would be constructively helpful if any criticism of the new spelling is taken word by word. The Government and the Department of Education are anxious to see that all the richness and variety of the language are preserved both as a written and a spoken language.