There's a lively time ahead in the Dail

And what of the new Government now? Has its go-ahead im
age for change and maturity tarnished in any way? Has the optimistic euphoria which followed closely on the election victory been dispelled?
For many years the people of Ireland have been in the grip of groups that first contrive to make themselves all-powerful and then do. or seem to do, us they like in the name of the electorate. To a lot of people the individual has little hope of making his voice heard, Fianna Fail is still the biggest single political party, but for many individuals it had become. as a 99year-old woman said to me "too independe. t."
Change was badly needed in many areas of Irish life, but 16 years in office had seen the build-up Of alliances in these very places. So change was a "very difficult and slow business.
Indeed to a great many people, change seemed impossible. and a
feeling of hopelessness and lethargy permeated many layers of society. It seemed that the only ones who benefited were the supermarket kings and the land speculators.
A change of Government therefore changed everything — or so it seemed. It certainly changed the lethargy. All the old alliances could be broken and each aspect of Irish life re-thought. Has the new Government fulfilled its promise? Or is it unfair even to ask the question so early? Eight weeks of activity unencumbered by questions raised in the Dail is a good enough start for anyone. The National Coalition had no sooner won power than the Dail went into recess.
But now the hiatus is over. The Opposition, sleeves rolled, have gone into action, probing and prying for all the soft places. We can look forward to a lively time in the Dad in the weeks ahead.
One man in particular who has been in the headlines (he has scarce ly been out of them) is Mr. Dick Burke, Minister for Education. In newspapers, radio and television his serious, concerned face and voice have been seen, heard and reported on — discussing. re-thinking, changing.
His spate of television appearances opening this, opening that, meeting this group, pronouncing on that, prompted the remark "he's the only Minister with his own series running on both TV and radio."
The day after his appointment. he started with the reopening of the "Irish" school at Dunquin (Dun Chaoin), Co. Kerry. which had been closed three years ago in an effort to rationalise uneconomic schools. I The fact that the Dunquin school taught its pupils through Irish had
made no difference to the Government at the time despite the school's plea to be allowed to remain open.
However, a group of people (including Dick Burke and Conor Cruise 0 Brien) contributed money and paid Dunquin's expenses (teacher's salary, etc) and the school continued on a private basis. The situation was a continual bone of contention.
On the one hand the Government at the time was comitted to the revival of the Iri,sh language and culture. but on the other hand it couldn't see a viable economic way to keep the little school open. So it was said that their commitment to the Irish language was an in-nameonly affair. Anomalies occurred at every turn. Maiy people dislike and think unfair the fact that if a student fails Irish in his leaving certificate examinationc. he fails the whole examination. The use of "persuasion' in this way has made many, people dislike the Irish language.
Furthermore, parts of Ireland Dublin. for instance — have never had an Irish language heritage. This
is no doubt to its many inIluelices. And sonic Dubliners feel, rightly or wrongly, that Irish is being i 'noosed.
Mr. Burke has begun the change. Irish no longer is obligatory for the leaving certificate. It stays for university entrance, other than Trinity College, and is given added status by making. it worth two honours. It also remains obligatory for public service.
The approach to the language situation will be placed in the context of the whole of 'the Irish culture. "We will learn of ourselvek our people and our country as a whole.."
New schools teaching through Irish have been opened. some in places that have been campaigning for "Irish" schools for a long time. Parents who would prefer their children to go to "Irish" schools will he afforded the opportunity.
Other difficulties to he sorted out are the continuing row over community and comprehensive schools, the existence of three teachers' unions (the Vocational Teachers' Association, the Irish national Teachers' Organisation and the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland) — all, it appears, fighting each others the keeping out by A.S.T.1. of all teaching religious - "their first obligation will be to their religious superiors. That might well contradict their obligations to the union."
Then there is the existence of a loud, insistent lobby demanding State schools — "religious schools divide the community. ' And there is a growing insistent lobby also shich says: "We want our children to nave a Catholic education."
Protestant parents prefer their own schools: "We are a minority: we must have our own schools."
Add to all this the fact that in most schools parents are not encouraged to play a very active rule, and so it goes on . . .
What Dick Burke has said is that parents WILL have a say in their children's education. He at least knows his ministry, having been a secondary school teacher for a number of years, and was an active member of A.S. LI. He knows the problems at first hand, and will have the courage to re-shape all aspects of education, and bring all concerned together to work towards the common good.
Mr. Donegan (Minister for Defence) seeme,0 to do well, initially at least. over his handling of the "Claudia Affair," The question of why the Claudia and crew were Ileased so quickly, and given such massive television coverage is being raised more and inure insistently.
The rumour that a deal was made between the Irish Government and the British Secret Service, involving the Claudia's master before the ship sailed to Ireland is rapidly gaining ground. The fact that the matter is sub judice seems to give credence to the rumours.
Dr. Garret Fitzgerald and his trips to Belfast were well receivednerc anyway. in the Nowt opinion fell completely along sectarian lines: approval from the minority, open hostility from the majority in spite of the fact that he visited both camps.
The reporting of the visit brought it rap on the knuckles for the Government Information Office. The press felt full information should have been more readily available as to where exactly Dr. Fitzgerald had gone. This would have avoided controversy in an already delicate situation.
Dr. Conor Cruise O'Brien Minister for Post und Telegraphs — made the headlines when he ap pointed his son-in-law as his per ..
sonal adviser on broadcasting. Mr. Nicholas Simms has spent the last three years as head of Audience Research at R.T.E.
Is ii just a coincidence the Labour have full control of the most powerful media — television and radio and have u key Labour figure. Muiris McCongait. right inside the Taoiseach's department as head of Government Information Services? In any event Vine Gael T.D.s are keep-ling a sharp eye on Dr. 0' Brien.
Off we go again; the full raz/anima,/ of the Fianna Fail party machine swings in behind Mr. Erskine Childers as their Presidential candidate.
The field has narrowed. as usual, to a two-man contest — Mr. Erskine Childers, Fianna Fail, and Mr. Toni O'Higgins, National Coalition. Mr. O'Higgins ran against Mr. de Va1crd in the last Presidential Election and lost by only 10,000 votes. lie has been campaigning around the country .sle ad i ly building tip his following for the last few weeks. The campaign has been progressing slowly but surely. "Tom O'Higgins for President" car stickers have begun to proliferate.
Due to the lute start, the whole of Fianna Fail is in there working on the campaign. led by George Colley. He was also campaign manager for the other recent election, The accoutrements of the campaign include a bus painted with the presidential colours, blue and white. It hasa specially built moving platform from which Mr. Childers can addresS. the 'crowds, and 'has a special room where he can meet and hose discussions with as many people as possible.
he 1.1e,.tion Special will crisscross the country, drawing the crowds. Somehow it doesn't quite fit in with Mr. Childers' quietly-spoken conservativ C image. But he has a lot of leeway to make up.
Blanket coverage by other Fianna Fail deputies. in addressing meetings pledging support for Mr. 'C'hilders, has already started.
All .in all it's great to see u bit of brashness and flamboyance. It will all end on May 30 when we get our chance to say who we want as President of Ireland.
Oonagh Timson