A protest is set to take place at the University of Galway tomorrow over the decision to drop the Irish language as a requirement for senior posts. (2/4)
It's organised by Misneach, and its members are arguing that it marks yet another step in the suffocation of Irish within an institution that claims to support the language.
Irish had been essential for leadership roles at the University of Galway for many years, but this has been gradually dismantled.
A statutory obligation to ensure the President was fluent in Irish ended in 2017 and the current office holder Professor David J Burn who's from North East England is learning the language
Now, University of Galway has advertised the post of Deputy-President and Registrar - the second-most senior role in the institution - without any Irish language requirements.
Misneach, a group that was originally founded by writer Mairtín Ó Cadhain nearly 60 years ago, was re-established in 2012 by people who felt the Irish language was under threat.
State policy requires that by 2030 20% of new recruits to the public sector must speak Irish and Misneach says the University has a central role in achieving that target
The group will protest at the Quad at noon tomorrow.
