A chara, - It was with regret that I read of David Herman's perception (November 23rd) that current Irish language policy has nothing to do with making Ireland a State in which people communicate in Irish. Government Irish language policy and Bord na Gaeilge's policy is to increase the use of Irish as an everyday vernacular in Ireland. In fact Bord na Gaeilge's mission statement reads: "To build on the development of Irish as an intrinsic and progressive part of Irish life by fostering favourable attitudes towards the language, encouraging the understanding and support of the public for Irish as a living language, to maintain its usage so that it will be spoken freely and extensively."
It is of course ridiculous to suggest that Ireland would one day be totally Irish speaking. This never was and never will be State policy. It is our aspiration, however, that we become a more bilingual society, which caters for the 1.4 million speakers of Irish in this country. The author assumes, without any supporting evidence in his letter, that we have resorted to, as he terms it, cuplafocalism, that our "heart is in the right place though our head is somewhere else entirely". There may be some element of truth in this statement for him, but how can he explain the consistent increases in the numbers of learners, speakers and schools of Irish? These increases are not compulsory or unwanted; they are in response to a phenomenal demand by Irish people and others who wish to use Irish more and who wish to accord it the status of first official language.
The author does not seem to be aware that the present Government has introduced a new primary syllabus with considerable emphasis on the teaching of Irish and on its use outside the class period as a general language of communication. Indeed, as recently as last week the Minister for Education and Science stated in the Dail and in the Seanad that provision will be made in the new Education Bill to provide adequate resources for teaching Irish and teaching through Irish. Again, these new measures would not have been introduced were it not for the demands of parents, teachers and pupils. Research shows that the bilingual child acquires other languages with greater facility than the monolingual child. The recent introduction of Irish as a subject in the British Education System also augurs well for Irish.
Government policy states that citizens have the right to do business with State bodies in Irish or English as they choose. People have a right to use whichever language they choose whenever possible. There is also no discrimination against those who do not take their exams through Irish. The case is, in fact, the opposite. Students who learn through Irish are discriminated against because of the lack of adequate teaching aids, textbooks and resources to enable them continue their education in their chosen language.
The present Irish language policy has all-party support in the Government. This does not mean however, that it could not be improved. The introduction of an Irish Language Bill in the future will ensure the increase of opportunities for spoken Irish and place Irish language planning on a statutory basis. - Is mise, Meabh Ni Chathain,
Preasoifigeach, Bord na Gaeilge, Cearnog Mhuirfean, Baile Atha Cliath 2.