HC Deb 28 June 1904 vol 136 cc1414-5
MR. BOLAND

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that in reply to a communication from the parents of children attending the Tulloha National School, in the parish of Bonane, county Kerry, the Board of National Education wrote on the 10th of May to Mr. J. Harrington; and whether, in view of the fact that in this Irish-speaking district the parents have expressed their desire that Irish should be taught in the school, representations will be made to the manager, who has agreed to Irish being taught in other schools under his management.

MR. WYNDHAM

I recently stated I tad been informed that no communication on this subject was received by the Board of National Education. I now learn that a communication was received by the Board in May. In reply, the Board pointed out that it could not interfere with the manager in regard to the instruction, so long as the curriculum of the schools was within the programme approved by the Board. The teaching of Irish is not compulsory in national schools.

MR. THOMAS O'DONNELL (Kerry, W.)

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the desirability of calling on managers of schools to allow the Irish language to be taught where the parents unanimously desire it?

MR. WYNDHAM

was understood reply that he could not do that.

MR. THOMAS O'DONNELL

Then cannot the right hon. Gentleman suggest to the manager of this school, who is a member of the Government, the propriety of allowing the language to be taught?

MR. WYNDHAM

replied that that was not within the province of his Department.

MR. BOLAND

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Lord Lansdowne allows the Irish language to be taught in another school under his management?

MR. SPEAKER

Order. That does not arise out of the Question.