Madam, - Paul Griffin (April 20th) raises some valid points about the Irish question - but is sadly misinformed about his subject matter.
That Ireland has an ever-increasing multiracial and multicultural population is of course true. But it is for this reason that we should in fact keep Irish in schools. This influx of new cultures and, with it, languages, while obviously a good thing, puts the language in danger of extinction.
Mr Griffin states that all logic and evidence points against compulsory Irish in schools, and that the learning of the language is futile. If we accept this point of view, we will lose the ability to enjoy our nation's great heritage, literature and history. The quality of much of the Irish stories and poetry we have, when translated to English, is lost. It is for this reason that Latin students study texts in their original form, for this reason that French students don't study Shakespeare, for this reason we sing our national anthem through Irish. That Irish is a difficult language is no reason not to learn it.
Perhaps if Mr Griffin had his ear to the ground he would realise that Irish is not quite as unpopular as he makes it out to be. While it may be true that many students leave their cúpla focal at the school gates, they are still happy to have had the opportunity to learn the language. It is no surprise that there are no TDs in our Dáil who have echoed Mr Griffin's sentiments, regardless of whether they hold that view or not.
They are aware that if they do, the electoral fallout for both them and their constituency could be catastrophic. The fact is, hardly anybody wants to see our language die. - Is mise,
HUGH MCDOWELL, Charleston Road, Ranelagh, Dublin 6.