asked the Minister for Education if he consulted with any representatives of the teaching profession or educational authorities outside his Department before announcing the introduction of the subject Irish Studies.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish Studies.
31.
I would refer the Deputy to the previous reply in relation to this matter which I gave in the House on the 15th November, 1973. As I indicated then the question of consultation with extra-Departmental authorities did not arise in the initial stages since detailed proposals had yet to be worked out, but it is proposed to have such consultation in the near future.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary confirm that the situation was that it was after introducing the subject that the Minister decided to consult with what I regard as the appropriate authorities?
I would not accept that. The Minister announced on the 5th April as follows: "I have under active consideration the possibility of introducing into the post-primary curriculum a course of Irish Studies." In other words, the Minister indicated publicly that he had the matter under active consideration. Subsequently, he asked his inspectors to carry out a detailed study of the matter which included consultations with teachers with particular expertise in the field of integrated studies. Now, proceeding a step further, he intends to have more wide-ranging consultations on a formal basis with the wider teaching interests.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary say when that which was under active consideration in April of this year may become a fact? When will we have the subject?
The Deputy will appreciate that the introduction of the subject Irish Studies could be of immense benefit in introducing a whole new type of teaching in to the secondary schools and it would be very wrong to spoil that great opportunity by undue haste.
The Deputy does not agree.