LAST UPDATE | 4 Mar 2025

A MOTION SEEKING that students in Ireland be afforded the right to receive their education through Irish is to be opposed by the government, in favour of a countermotion.

Details of the countermotion, to be detailed in the Dáil this evening, have yet to be revealed. It has been confirmed, however, that Cabinet will oppose demands by Sinn Féin to afford the right to students.

Sinn Féin’s Gaeilge spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh earlier accused Government of neglecting students in Gaelscoileanna, as nine counties do not have a lán-Gaeilge post-primary school.

While there have been a number of high-profile campaigns for the delivery of Gaelcholáistí in areas of Dublin, plans to deliver on the demands have recently been rolled back.

Ó Snodaigh said his wanted to make sure that students who want to receive an education as Gaeilge have a right to do so. He said it was important to later facilitate roles within the public service, where a fifth of personnel are required to be Irish-speaking.

During a press conference completely in Irish* this morning, the Dublin South Central TD told reporters that the number of people waiting for places within post-primary Gaelcholáistí are getting worse.

Members of Sinn Féin with fluent Irish speaking outside Leinster House this morning. Muiris Ó Cearbhaill / The Journal Muiris Ó Cearbhaill / The Journal / The Journal

“The state has to make sure that it is facilitating the demand that currently exists and, later, find out ways to make sure that capacity [in Irish-speaking schools] is increased in the future,” Ó Snodaigh said.

There has been an increase, in recent years, in the number of students attending scoileanna lán-Gaeilge. Previous plans have sought to increase capacity, at post-primary level especially.

Sinn Féin’s 23-point motion is set to be opposed by the Government and replaced with a different motion this evening.

*Quotes included in this article have been translated into English.