Madam, - Concerning the status of Irish in the EU one must ask what its status is at home, and what successive governments have done in the past 80 years to foster, promote and encourage the use of our national tongue as the natural, spoken, living language of this nation.
In this regard, I found the sentiment expressed by Amhlaoidh Buí Mac Giolla (May 31st) quite touching: "Moreover, it is known and loved by the great silent majority of Irish people."
If it is so known and loved by this majority, why are they so silent? Why don't they speak it? Surely a language is a means of communication, to be spoken, and not merely regarded as a museum exhibit?
How much Irish is spoken in the Dáil? How much financial support has to be squeezed out of the present Government to build, maintain and run gaelscoileanna - the life-blood of the language - which often have to hold classes in funeral parlours, disused halls, warehouses, and other unsuitable premises? This is a national disgrace, as is the Government's lip service to Irish.
In this new Europe, where each nation, often despite foreign occupation, is passionately proud of its language, Ireland will be seen as having reneged on its heritage and identity. But then, who cares? - Yours, etc.,
VERA HUGHES,
Moate,
Co Westmeath.