"SAY IT IN IRISH"

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 82, 16 October 1928, Page 9

"SAY IT IN IRISH"

COMPULSORY GAELIC FOR ALL CIVU. SERVANTS "PUSH" IN FBEE STATE •"Times" Cables. LONDON, 14th October. The Dublin correspondent of "The Times" states that the Free State Government announces a new "push" for the compulsory propagation of the Irish language. Mr. E. BJlythe, Minister of Finance, speaking at a Gaelic Society mooting, said that henceforth all members of the Civil Slervicc must possess a competent knowledge of Irish which at present is a compulsory subject in all Civil Service examinations. This test will be strengthened by a further examination within two years of a candidate's admission. Those failing to pass will be compelled to leave the service. It also proposed to niake Irish a compulsory subject in entrance examinations for the tt>ar and solicitors' profession. In Irish the name of the Free State is Saorstat Eireann, the Legiisiature (Oireachtas) consists of 'the Dai] and the Seanad. The Executive Council (Aireacht) consists of twelve Ministers (Airi). The President is Liam T. MacCosgair (W. T. Gosgrave), an.d Mr. Blythe's name in Irish is Earnan deBlaghd. • Mr. Richard Mulcahy, Minister of Health, spells his name Risteiird Ua Maolchatha, and similarly the Minister of Defence is Mr. Deasmhumh an MaeGearailt in Irish,- simple Desmond Fitzgerald in English. The Irish language thus apparently affords an .intellectual gymnastic for its students..