NORTHERN IRELAND: PLEDGE ON IRISH LANGUAGE SCHOOLS FOR NORTH

Sinn Fein Education Minister designate, Caitriona Ruane, may find herself at odds with DUP Education Committee chairman, Sammy Wilson. It follows a pledge of support for the continued growth of Irish language schools and integrated education - despite the Assembly facing the prospect of significant school closures in Northern Ireland. Ms Ruane,

Sinn Fein Education Minister designate, Caitriona Ruane, may find herself at odds with DUP Education Committee chairman, Sammy Wilson.

It follows a pledge of support for the continued growth of Irish language schools and integrated education - despite the Assembly facing the prospect of significant school closures in Northern Ireland.

Ms Ruane, speaking to a Belfast newspaper ahead of her attendance at a fund-raising event at an Irish-medium nursery school in Downpatrick on Friday (27/04/07) said.

\"One of the challenges facing me as future Minister for Education will be to take forward the idea of sharing within and between schools. Irish-medium schools offer a valuable educational environment.

I want to support parental choice and to continue to develop both the Irish-medium and integrated sectors.

As with other sectors it is also important that the Irish-medium sector challenges itself by listening to others and discussing possible future opportunities.\"

Meanwhile, the DUPs Wilson has been strongly critical of the expansion of minority school sectors at a time when pupil numbers are falling. His party is also on record as opposed to an Irish language Act for the North. However given that a pledge on an Act was part of the St Andrews agreement they may be \'swimming against the tide\'.

J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League

28/04/07