Do you think that before "The New Irish" can qualify for citizenship, they should have to learn basic Irish?

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Priscilla Duck

Seeing as we have two national languages, I think they should have to reach a certain proficiency (Intermediate) in either one. This is the rule in almost every state which has more than one national language. If you were to move to Canada as an Irish person, you would not be expected to speak French as you are already proficient in English. The same goes for South Africa, Belgium, India, Luxembourg etc.

If the citizens of the country are not required to be bilingual, it is hardly fair to ask immigrants to become so. And only a minority of Irish people speak Irish at all (1.66m out of 4.4m according to the 2006 census). I think you would be breaking all sorts of equality laws if you were to require immigrants to learn a minority language that is not a requirement for the natives. It might be compulsory for Irish people to learn it in school but a lot of people take it at foundation or pass level, and a significant number of people fail the subject in the Leaving Cert. Would you be proposing that they be deported or have their passports revoked?

No, I think the system is fine the way it is. Knowldege of English is enough of a requirement for naturalistation. Their proficiency in their mother tongue is enough of an advantage to the Irish economy (in creating a multilingual labour force) to outweigh any potential cultural benefits that might be had from compelling them to learn Irish.

when the sun goes down

well english would be more realistic and beneficial. what's the point in them learning irish when most people in the country forget it after school, therefore they'll forget it when they pass the test, therefore it would be a waste of taxpayers money.

john N

No because Irish is no longer an obligatory subject in secondary schools and it hasn't been for years - How many native Irish are really native Irish speakers - most people leave school and don't give the language a second thought.. Irish people emigrated for centuries and suffered a lot of discrimination in other countries - I hate it when Irish people now behave in the same way towards foreign nationals.

Like a Fox

That would be pretty pointless
1. Irish isn't the first language and is only spoken in the gaeltacht.
2. Most Irish can barely speak irish anyway.

therefore totally unnecessary.

slipstreamer

And should countries that the Irish emigrate to make up new rules for them as well? Perhaps the Irish moving abroad should be barred unless they speak the language fluently - not just a bit, as most newcomers do? This seems punitive as Irish is not in common use outside certain areas. English is the de facto language in Ireland.

One can move to Wales and not learn Welsh after all, and Welsh has a much stronger usage history. Many move to France and Spain and are not exactly fluent - but they make an effort. This just seems slightly xenophobic given that Irish is not in common daily use (although taught). Adding extra tasks to what is already a hard process is a bit petty. It is sad to see some Irish discriminate against immigrants, given their own national history of emigrating to other cultures.

ulsterprince

english would be more benificial as the irish language is really not relevant to everyday life in the republic of ireland.it would be the same if you wentto rome to live you would try and learn italian not latin or classical greek both of these languages were spoken in ancient rome but are now classed as being:dead:used only by classical scholars and historians.the irish language is only spoken by those who wish to keep it alive and dream of a long dead celtic twilight.

ivastupidname

Why? Who's benefit would it be to? Do you think it would be of benefit to the country?

Grotbags

No not at all. English is the most widely spoken language so if they are proficient in that, then that should suffice.

Martina L

If so, then citizenship should be denied to the thousands of "old Irish" that can't speak Irish at all!

Martha Clark

I think in terms of the constitution, and the Irish language's status in the European Union, an irish citizen should effectively consider the irish language to be their first language.

It's a joke, but that's what our politicians want.

If we are going to keep up this farce, then I guess yes. It should be taught in schools and to new arrivals.. to help them adapt to all the irish we speak!

In There Like SwimWear

yeah if i went to poland or latvia id have to learn their mother tounge............
fairs fair...
it all about intergrating them futher into irish cultre

If it ant Boeing I ant going .

Ya but they would have a lot of catching up to do it would be better if they took extra English instead as irish is a dead language

Big Cazzo

Think anyone anywhere, when moving to a new country should be required to learn at least a basic understanding of the national language. English, Spanish, Gaelic, Polish, Italian, etc before being naturalized

But yes, Gaelic is dying off. then again it really shouldnt have to... it only dies if people let it. It IMHO really is a neat language anyways ;) Always been fascinated by That regions culture

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