asked the Taoiseach if he will state the Government's policy for the revival of the Irish language.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Language Policy.
1.
The policy of the Government is to continue to seek the achievement of the national aim of restoring the Irish language, by encouraging the preservation and extension of its use as a vernacular language.
We believe that to achieve this aim Irish must be given its proper place in the schools and in educational programmes, that the organs of State must assist in fostering and promoting the language and that the public generally must be encouraged to use it as far as possible.
The methods and the means to be adopted towards this end are constantly kept under review. In this connection, I may refer the Deputy especially to the appointment of a Government Commission in July, 1958, the terms of reference of which are:—
"Having regard to the position at present reached in the endeavour to secure the restoration of the Irish language, to consider and to advise as to the steps that should now be taken by the community and the State to hasten progress towards that end."
I would also refer the Deputy to my statement to the House in this regard, on the 23rd June, in connection with the nomination of the members of the Government.
Is it the Government's intention to continue the policy of what some people call compulsory Irish and what I would call essential Irish—that boys and girls applying for certain positions in this State must qualify in Irish?
It seems to me that that is the same question over again. I can only refer the Deputy to the reply I have already given.
I should like the Taoiseach to qualify what he has said. Is it the Government's intention to carry on this policy of what is called compulsory Irish?
I am not quite sure what the Deputy has in mind. I can only refer him to the reply I have given.