A chara, - In reply to the letter from Donal Flynn headed "An bhfuil gá le Gaeilge?" (November 24th), I believe there is geár-gá. The language is the most important facet of our national heritage and in my opinion it shouldn't be left for children to decide if they should continue to study it for the Leaving Certificate.
Many adults regret later in life that they didn't bother to keep up their Irish and would now like to be able to speak it. Latin was dropped as a necessary subject for getting into university and now only a handful of students study it.
Personally, I am quite optimistic about Irish as I notice since the country has become prosperous that people have become more baúil, or well-disposed, towards it. The hostility has almost gone. I think it is as equally important to have an appreciation of it as to have the knowledge.
I learned my Gaeilge in Scoil Caitríona before the war and am proud I can still speak it fairly fluently. In this regard I am grateful to Raidío na Gaeltachta and TG4. The Irish Times too is doing its bit with its altanna as Gaeilge.
Regarding the translation of documents by civil servants, I agree with Mr Flynn that it is a complete waste of funds "producing unnecessary documents which will never be read". I suggest it would be much more fruitful if the money were given to schools to award scholarships for children to attend colaístí samhraídh. - Is mise,
FRANCIS SPILLANE, Naas, Co Kildare.
A chara, - Can I insist on getting haircuts through Irish so as to get my barber to stop talking to me?
Maybe I could extend this scheme to taxi drivers! - Is mise,
LOMAN Ó LOINGSIGH, Ellensborough Drive, Dublin 24.