Another clear indication that An Irish Language Act is needed urgently to protect Irish speakers
Conradh na Gaeilge has welcomed the investigation published today (4 July 2018) by The Detail and Meon Eile regarding the development and site allocation for the Fermanagh based Irish-medium primary school Bunscoil an Traonaigh. The investigation has uncovered information regarding what is considered to be deliberate attempts to halt and delay the school, alongside a breach of Ministerial and Departmental policy regarding the allocation of Education sites, directly involving the former minister for Education Peter Weir.
Pádraig Ó Tiarnaigh, Communications & Advocacy Executive with Conradh na Gaeilge says:
“These regressive actions are the latest to emerge in a long line of decisions from DUP Ministers attacking the Irish-language and Irish-medium education. It follows decisions such as the decisions to cut the Líofa funding in December 2016, the removal of Irish from the Department of Education website, alongside attempted cuts to the nurture units in several Irish medium schools. The Minister’s actions as laid out be The Detail & Meon Eile are in stark contrast to the actions of Bunscoil an Traonaigh throughout, as the school has campaigned and lobbied openly, and went through all legal and proper channels. It is not too much to ask that the law and that the department’s own policies are adhered to. It must also be stressed, however, that there is enough land to accommodate all interested partners. This case must now be resolved as soon as possible and the development of Bunscoil an Traonaigh progressed at the agreed site without any further delay.”
Julian de Spáinn, General Secretary of Conradh na Gaeilge says:
“There is a statutory duty on the Department of Education to “encourage and facilitate the
The Detail report can be accessed at: http://www.thedetail.tv/