The Irish branch of the Celtic League has written to the Minister for Education conveying the text of a resolution adopted at the recent AGM of the League which was critical of aspects of Departmental policy on the Irish language.
The Ministers stance on this issue already faces legal possible challenges from both individual schools and the Gaelscoileanna organisation.
Gaelscoileanna has already held an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) on the issue and more initiatives are likely after its AGM this weekend.
In the meantime League branches are being urged to support the Irish branch concerns by voicing similar protests. Branch initiatives in this regard should be coordinated via the Irish branch.
"An tAire Mary Hanifin, TD An Roinn Oideachais agus Eolaíochta, Sráid Mhaoilbhríde, Baile Átha Cliath 2 Ciorcalán 0044/2007 A Aire, a chara,
Bhí an-iontas ar Chraobh na hÉireann den Conradh Ceilteach gur sheol tú ciorcalán 0044/2007, ag cur cosc ar an luath-tumoideachas in Éireann, amach agus cáinim muid an gníomh seo go láidir. Iarraim muid ort é seo a tharraingt siar láithreach. Mas rud é go raibh iontas orainne bhí iontas i bhfad níos mó ar na Craobhacha eile den Conradh. Shíl said gur rud scannalach é Aire i stait neamhspléach ceilteach a bheith ag feidhmiú mar sin in éadan sealbhú an Ghaeilge ag na páistí sna Gaelscoileanna. Tá luath-tumoideachas riachtanach le go néireodh le paistí greim ceart a fháil ar an teanga, tá árd caighdéan oideachas ag na Gaelscoileanna agus ard caighdeán Béarla ag na páistí freisin.
Is eol dúinne sa Chonradh Ceilteach buntáistí an luath-tumoideachais ins na tíortha Ceilteacha eile ( agus go deimhin i measc neart mionlaigh teanga eile.)
Ag cruinniú chinn bhliana an Chonradh Cheilteach i gCaerdydd, an Bhreatain Bheag, roinnt seachtainí ó shoin ritheadh an rún seo leanas agus déanadh poiblíocht ar seo in iris an Chonartha, CARN, (féach túsleathanach leis seo). Beidh an scéal seo dhá scaipeadh go forleathan.
" This AGM of the Celtic League (meeting here in Caerdydd, Cymru) deplores the Irish Minister of Education, Mary Hanafin's, decision to ban the early Irish immersion programme practiced in many Irish medium schools (Gaelscoileanna) in the Republic and calls upon her to rescind this and listen to those who call for a research informed decision. We congratulate the Minister of Education in the North of Ireland, Catiríona Ruane, for confirming that early Irish immersion programmes in Gaelscoileanna in the North will continue.
The benefit of early immersion education in gaining fluency in the Celtic language is clearly proven not only in Ireland but in countries such as Cymru (Wales) and Alba, where it has also been shown that pupils achieve a high standard in the dominant language. We call upon you to reverse this ill based decision and allow pupils in Gaelscoileanna the opportunity to continue to obtain early fluency in Irish. We look forward to a positive response from you on this.
Is mise, le meas,
Pádraigín Mylevreeshey,
Rúnaí, Craobh na hÉireann"
See also Celtic News article at:
J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League
14/11/07
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