APPENDIX C
SURVEY IN RELATION TO THE IRISH LANGUAGE AMONGST THE MEMBERS OF THE HOUSES OF THE OIREACHTAS. SUMMARY OF THE RESULTS IN THE CASE OF MEMBERS OF SEANAD ÉIREANN
1. The number of replies
Members of the Seanad who replied: |
43% |
2. Competence in Irish amongst those who replied
|
Speaking Irish |
Writing Irish |
Reading Irish |
|
% |
% |
% |
Excellent |
11 |
11 |
19 |
Good |
15 |
19 |
27 |
Fair |
39 |
35 |
31 |
Poor |
35 |
35 |
23 |
3. The use of Irish
(a)
Frequency |
|
|
% |
Regularly |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
19 |
Occasionally |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
27 |
Seldom |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
27 |
Never |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
27 |
(b)
The type of work in which Irish is used |
|
|
% |
Speeches |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
38 |
Motions |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
15 |
Other |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
15 |
No reply |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
32 |
(c)
Reasons for not using Irish more frequently |
|
|
% |
Lack of publicity |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
6 |
Lack of competence |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
65 |
Lack of interest |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
7 |
Other |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
3 |
No reply |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
19 |
4. Constraints in relation to the use of Irish
Members were asked to put the constraints in the order of merit from 1 to 4
Lack of support services in Irish |
Lack of support from the Parties |
Lack of translation facilities, etc. |
Other |
No reply |
3 |
2 |
1 |
4 |
— |
(23%) |
(25%) |
(27%) |
(15%) |
(10%) |
5.The willingness of Members to use more Irish in the future
Prepared to make an effort |
Not prepared to make an effort |
No reply |
% |
% |
% |
92 |
0 |
8 |
6.Is it worthwhile using more Irish?
Very worthwhile |
Worthwhile |
Not worthwhile |
No opinion |
% |
% |
% |
% |
35 |
50 |
0 |
15 |
7.Would Members like to learn or practise Irish?
Members would |
Members would not |
No reply |
% |
% |
% |
92 |
0 |
8 |
8. Methods of learning and/or improving Irish
Classes |
A series of tapes instructional booklets |
Other |
No reply |
% |
% |
% |
% |
38 |
50 |
3 |
9 |
9 Special room for Irish to be available
(a) Would such a room be worthwhile?
Worthwhile |
Not worthwhile |
No opinion |
% |
% |
% |
73 |
4 |
23 |
(b)Would Members use it?
They would |
They would not |
No opinion |
% |
% |
% |
81 |
4 |
15 |
10. Opinions of Members in relation to the promotion of Irish in the Houses of the Oireachtas
23% of those who replied expressed views regarding the promotion of the language in the Houses of the Oireachtas.
|
