§ 28. Mr. O'DONNELLasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what is the cause of the delay in requiring a second language from students entering Irish training colleges; and whether, seeing that the Commissioners promised to have this rule in operation for the year 1911, he will take steps to have the matter dealt with immediately and the rule enforced next year?
§ Mr. BIRRELLAs I have already stated, proposals have been made by the Commissioners of National Education in favour of the payment of fees for instruction where Irish is not taken up in national schools in French, Latin, or German. These proposals have been considered by the Treasury, who have not seen their way to give effect to them. The Commissioners, in view of this decision, do not consider it desirable at present to prescribe as a condition for entrance to a training college the knowledge of a second language.
§ Mr. O'DONNELLIs it not a fact that nearly three years ago the Commissioners made an announcement that they would require the Irish language to be learned by these students?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI believe that is so, and I am anxious that that knowledge should be insisted upon.
§ Mr. O'DONNELLIn order to teach the Irish language properly is it not necessary that students in training should get proper facilities during their two years to learn the language, so that they may teach it properly?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI have no doubt that anybody who has experienced the difficulty of learning any language would recognise the truth of that statement.
§ Mr. O'DONNELLWill the right hon. Gentleman use his influence with the Treasury to get the Irish language taught to these students
§ Mr. BIRRELLYes, Sir. I am engaged in that enterprise.