A controversial requirement at NUI Galway that candidates for jobs must sit an Irish exam has been strongly criticised by staff in an internal report. It says the issue is the most "contentious" in the college, with many staff unhappy and eager for it to be scrapped.
The report, by consultants Pearn Kandola, surveyed 289 staff and 547 students on the college's equality performance. While broadly positive, in relation to staff views on the Irish requirement it states: "There was a strong call among respondents for this practice to be re-examined."
Comments by various staff members are included in the report, completed in recent weeks.
Among them, the requirement is described as "a disaster for recruitment" and is blamed for putting off foreign applicants and for making non-Irish-speakers feel isolated and "second-class". No favourable comments are given.
NUI Galway is unique in the third-level sector in having such a requirement, which is included in the University College Galway Act, 1929.
The Irish test consists of a one-hour essay chosen by the candidate from a list relevant to the post and a short oral exam. In certain cases, candidates who pass the exam in Irish are given priority over those who do not pass.
Last year there was controversy over the issue on two occasions. In April several academics raised concerns about the requirement being used in the selection process for a new president. The post was won eventually by an Irish speaker, Prof Iognaid O Muircheartaigh.
Subsequently one of the university's leading academics, Prof Emer Colleran, resigned from the college's governing authority because it chose Prof O Muircheartaigh even though an eight-member assessment board favoured another candidate.
Last August there was also controversy when a leading endocrinologist failed the Irish test, and there was for a time doubt over his appointment to the professorship of medicine at the college. He was subsequently appointed after the college took legal advice. However, it said it had no plans to change the requirement.
NUI Galway, because of its proximity to the Gaeltacht, has special statutory responsibility in relation to the Irish language, but many staff are discontented about this, says the report, entitled Equal Opportunities/Managing Diversity.
In a section headed "What is NUI Galway not doing well?", the critical comments are included. Among them are:
"NUI should abolish the Irish language preference. It is a form of affirmative action".
"The positive discrimination in favour of people who have a gaeilge agenda gives rise to isolation and a feeling of second-class citizenship among those who do not share this ideal".
"Irish language as a requirement at recruitment is very inhibiting and non-productive."
The exact number who object to the policy is not included. The other areas of the college's performance criticised are bullying and harassment. Almost 50 per cent of staff "perceive" there is harassment at the college, while some believe part-time and contract staff are not treated as well as permanent staff.
Most students are satisfied with the college's equality performance and believe staff treat them equally. Staff and students complement the college's "culture" and its efforts in relation to training and development.