asked the Taoiseach the number of persons returned as Irish speakers at the census in 1961, 1966 and 1971.
Written Answers. - Number of Irish Speakers.
336.
The number of Irish speakers, 3 years of age and over, recorded at the 1971 Census of Population was 789,429. The corresponding number in 1961 was 716,420. A question on ability to speak the Irish language was not asked at the 1966 Census of Population.