16 August 2007 Edition
Government assault on Irish language continues - Ó Snodaigh
Sinn Féin TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh has criticised proposals from the Minister of State with responsibility for integration Conor Lenihan in which he has called for the removal of Irish language requirements for civil servants.
Ó Snodaigh said that while he agrees with the need to increase the number of foreign nationals in the Civil Service this does not have to be at the expense of our own national language.
Speaking in Dublin on Monday Ó Snodaigh said: “I want to welcome the new taskforce on integration which will hopefully help to significantly improve the quality of life for our new immigrant communities.
“However I cannot agree with the Minister’s proposals to remove the Irish language requirements for the Civil Service. The integration of foreign nationals into the public sector workforce does not have to be at the expense of the Irish language. What Sinn Féin would like to see is extra opportunities for foreign nationals to learn and embrace the Irish language.
“One of the key focuses of the new task force is to have English language tuition made available for young and old immigrants. There is absolutely no reason why Irish language tuition could not also be included.
“This proposal from Minister Lenihan is part of an ongoing Government assault on the Irish language and culture which has included the removal of Irish language requirements from An Garda Síochána, the attempted removal from the teaching profession, the destruction of the National Heritage site at the Hill of Tara and has allowed the sale of historical documents relating to the 1916 Rising.
“And only last week Education Minister Mary Hanafin proposed the introduction of teaching through the medium of the English language in Gaelscoileanna. All of this is indicative of Fianna Fáil’s ‘laissez faire’ attitude to the Irish language.”
Ó Snodaigh said that while he agrees with the need to increase the number of foreign nationals in the Civil Service this does not have to be at the expense of our own national language.
Speaking in Dublin on Monday Ó Snodaigh said: “I want to welcome the new taskforce on integration which will hopefully help to significantly improve the quality of life for our new immigrant communities.
“However I cannot agree with the Minister’s proposals to remove the Irish language requirements for the Civil Service. The integration of foreign nationals into the public sector workforce does not have to be at the expense of the Irish language. What Sinn Féin would like to see is extra opportunities for foreign nationals to learn and embrace the Irish language.
“One of the key focuses of the new task force is to have English language tuition made available for young and old immigrants. There is absolutely no reason why Irish language tuition could not also be included.
“This proposal from Minister Lenihan is part of an ongoing Government assault on the Irish language and culture which has included the removal of Irish language requirements from An Garda Síochána, the attempted removal from the teaching profession, the destruction of the National Heritage site at the Hill of Tara and has allowed the sale of historical documents relating to the 1916 Rising.
“And only last week Education Minister Mary Hanafin proposed the introduction of teaching through the medium of the English language in Gaelscoileanna. All of this is indicative of Fianna Fáil’s ‘laissez faire’ attitude to the Irish language.”