Quinn launches language website

Ireland should embrace the German language as the “key to a door” of cultural and economic achievement, Minister for Education…

Ireland should embrace the German language as the “key to a door” of cultural and economic achievement, Minister for Education and skills Ruairí Quinn has said.

Launching a website to promote learning German – germanconnects.ie– Mr Quinn said Ireland's economic future was linked to Germany's, but an enduring Europe needed greater cultural understanding.

The website has information on courses and exchange programmes and is part of a national campaign to raise awareness of a language spoken by 120 million people.

German ambassador to Ireland Eckhard Lübkemeier said it was in Ireland and Germany’s mutual interests to promote the language.

Derek Scally

Derek Scally

Derek Scally is an Irish Times journalist based in Berlin