HC Deb 12 July 1900 vol 85 cc1328-9
MR. FLAVIN

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that a feeling exists in many portions of Ireland owing to the fact that the teaching of Irish is not a compulsory subject in national schools; and whether, seeing that the Kerry County Council unanimously passed a resolution asking that Irish should be made the general medium of instruction, representations will be made to the National Board with a view of giving effect to this resolution, so as to make the teaching of Irish a compulsory subject within the regular school hours.

MR. G. W. BALFOUR

I have received a good many resolutions from public bodies in Ireland on this subject. The matter is one for the consideration of the Commissioners of National Education, and not one for the intervention of the Executive.

MR. FLAVIN

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the last paragraph of my question?

MR. G. W. BALFOUR

I have received no representations on the subject.

MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN

Have the National Commissioners under the new rules altered the conditions as to the teaching of the Irish language in Irish elementary schools?

MR. G. W. BALFOUR

The hon. Gentleman had better await the issue of the rules.

MR. FLYNN (Cork, N.)

Is there any "Commissioner of National Education'' this House?

MR. G. W. BALFOUR

The Commissioners have no direct representative in this House.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

When will the rules be issued?

MR. G. W. BALFOUR

I am informed it will not be possible to issue them tomorrow, but a few copies will be available in the Vote Office for Irish Members.