Minister for Education Mary Hanafin is under pressure to reverse an order by her department that could close down an Irish language school in the Donegal Gaeltacht. Official recognition of Coláiste an Phiarsaigh in Gweedore has been withdrawn, prompting many summer students to cancel places already booked on courses in the college.
Minister of State Pat the Cope Gallagher, who lives in the constituency, is spearheading a campaign to save the college from a closure that would hurt the local B&B industry. It has been operating for 25 years and attracts tens of thousands of euro to the local economy. The department claims that its decision not to grant recognition follows the college's failure to fully comply last year with conditions laid down after difficulties in 2005.
Mr Gallagher confirmed yesterday that he has been in talks with Ms Hanafin and with Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Éamon Ó Cuív. Mr Gallagher said: "I believe they both appreciate the seriousness of the situation and there is good will there.
Local Fianna Fáil county councillor Brían Ó Dómhnaill said: "The consequences of this decision are disastrous for west Donegal, for the Irish language and particularly for the 'mná tí' in the Gweedore area." He added that Coláiste an Phiarsaigh had an excellent reputation nationally as "one of the most pro-active Irish colleges".
Sinn Féin general election candidate for Donegal South West, Pearse Doherty, said the knock-on effect of the decision was already being felt in the community.
Údarás na Gaeltachta has called for three-way talks between it, Roinn na Gaeltachta and the Department of Education to solve the problem.