asked the Minister for Education if he will arrange that the people be given an opportunity of expressing their views by referendum on the compulsory teaching of Irish in Irish primary, vocational and secondary schools; and, if not, why.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Compulsory Teaching of Irish.
32.
I do not propose to tender advice to the Government that any such arrangement should be made. The Ministers who comprise the Government are members of a party which has placed its policy, including that part of it which relates to the restoration of the Irish language, before the Irish people at successive general elections and has had their endorsement for this policy.
Are the Minister and the Government aware of the growing dissatisfaction of teachers, children and parents with present standards of education? Is he further aware that the present methods employed have resulted in a serious deterioration in our educational standards? Is he further aware that parents who in the past had an opportunity of teaching their children at home no longer have this opportunity because they do not have a grasp of the language?
I am not so aware. Research has established beyond doubt that children of normal ability suffer no intellectual retardation through learning a second language even at an early stage. My view is that every child is entitled to learn his own language and whatever the child may do afterwards is his own business. It has always been national policy that every child is entitled to learn his own language.
Is the Minister aware of the results of referenda in schools which have held them? In view of the results does he not consider it necessary to agree to Deputy O'Reilly's request?
I am not aware of any referenda held in schools.
Is the Minister serious when he says that?
What I do say is that every child is entitled to learn his own language——
That is an opinion.
It is part of the Fianna Fáil policy supported by the majority of the people. I am not suggesting for a moment that it is not part of the Fine Gael policy but with a difference in method. I am not claiming the Irish language policy is solely Fianna Fáil policy. What I am pointing out is that it has been part of our policy in every election and has been supported.
I am calling Question No. 33.
The Minister must be aware of the different schools which have held referenda.
That is not a question; the Deputy is giving information.
Is the Minister aware that the results of referenda held to decide this issue have been very startling? Is the Minister ignoring this position?
I am aware that referenda have taken place in a number of schools and the returns have shown conflicting results in every case.