asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement regarding the position of the Irish language in the event of Ireland becoming a member of the EEC.
2.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish Language and EEC.
1.
asked the Taoiseach whether he contemplates any change in relation to the constitutional position of the Irish language in the event of Ireland joining the EEC.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together.
Neither the constitutional position of the Irish language nor the priority accorded to its revival in the Government's policy for the preservation and strengthening of our national culture would be affected by our accession to the European Communities.
Does the Taoiseach not believe there is a greater necessity for the teaching of continental languages in schools?
This question is confined to the position of the Irish language.
I agree there is a necessity for teaching continental languages but I do not think there is any necessity to invade the time devoted to teaching Irish.
Does this mean mathematics and English get the knock?
Not necessarily. If they can learn four or five languages on the Continent, we can learn two or three perhaps.