A chara, The legitimate claim by an Tanaiste and Leader of the Labour Party that the nationalist community of the six counties be afforded parity of esteem sounds hollow in the light of the failure of his fellow party member, the Minister for Education, to grant parity of esteem to parents who wish that their children be educated through the medium of Irish.
Does the Minister for Education subscribe to the principle of subsidiarity? If there is a reduction in the number of children enrolled in English medium schools, the Minister should deal with the problem within the context of English medium schools.
It is wrong to deal with that problem by refusing to recognise new gaelscoileanna. Gaelscoileanna established by parents, the primary educators of their children, over the past thirty years continue to thrive and have the continuing problem of waiting lists.
Furthermore, an ITE survey confirms that far more parents would choose Irish medium education for their children if those schools were in their neighbourhood. Parity of esteem, Minister - beart do reir bhur mbriathar. Is mise, le meas,
Cluair, Tarbh,
Baile Atha Cliath 3.