A review of the Leaving Cert has found mixed views on whether students should have to be examined in Irish.
The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) spoke to teachers, students and parents across 41 schools as part of efforts to examine the views on the senior cycle.
It found that many students "think that Irish should be an optional subject, whilst some highlighted the importance of retaining at least some exposure to the language for students".
Other suggestions included splitting subjects into compulsory and optional areas - such as having Irish language and culture compulsory, but having Irish literature as an optional module.
The review also looks at factors such as transition year - which is generally considered a positive feature of the senior cycle, but there are mixed views on whether the currently optional year should be made mandatory.
A public consultation is now underway by the NCCA to gather more views on the Leaving Cert curriculum.
Submissions are being accepted until November 1st on the range of issues examined in the review.
'We should recognise reality'
Speaking about the findings on the Hard Shoulder this evening, Ed Walsh - founding President of the University of Limerick - claims compulsory Irish is an experiment that has failed.
He said: "This is a very difficult issue for the politicians to grapple with - it has been a political sacred cow since the State was founded.
"Irish was made compulsory in 1934 - that's some 85 years years ago. The language has not been restored."
He added: "The interesting thing is under British rule there was a great Irish revival - the Gaelic League - and people were enthusiastic about it.
"It was a happy and enjoyable experience for most. Compulsion has changed that whole thing."
Mr Walsh argued that gaelscoileanna have been a resounding success, but more generally there are resources that could be deployed elsewhere.
He argued: "I would suggest that we give every encouragement and support to those students who want to study Irish - but for the majority who don't... we should recognise reality.
"I think Irish studies should be prerequisite for everyone, and I would suggest in primary school that everyone is exposed to learning the language. We just cover those who are interested and enthusiastic, and at second-level direct resources to them."
He also suggested that he'd favour directing some of the funds currently spent on teaching mandatory Irish towards teaching modern European languages and the likes of Mandarin.
