§ 6. Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the role of the Irish language in his Department's education reform proposals.
§ Dr. MawhinneyThe position accorded to the Irish language in the decisions on education reforms announced last month recognises the wish of a great many schools in Northern Ireland to teach Irish. A full programme of study will be provided for Irish, with associated assessment arrangements. Irish will therefore enjoy the same degree of educational esteem as other elements within the prescribed curriculum.