The directive obliged all Irish language primary schools to teach English to all classes, including junior infants, for a minimum of 30 minutes every day. This was vigorously opposed by Irish language groups and educationalists.

The preferred approach of Irish-medium primary schools is total immersion as a means of teaching the Irish language. The 2007 directive forced them to abandon this approach

The decision to withdraw the circular was announced by the office of Minister for Education Batt O’Keeffe on January 20, following two years of intensive campaigning by language groups and a legal case brought before the High Court by two schools, Gaelscoil Nás na Ríogh and Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn in Tralee.

The following remarks were issued by Gaelscoileanna Teo, the national co-ordinating body for schools teaching through the medium of Irish, in a statement responding to the change of department policy:

“Gaelscoileanna throughout Ireland are celebrating today’s announcement that circular 0044/2007 in relation to Language and Literacy in Infant Classes in Irish-medium schools has been officially withdrawn.

“The Department of Education and Science’s decision to withdraw the controversial circular and to grant official recognition to the early-immersion education system has been warmly welcomed by Gaelscoileanna Teo. 

“The Department’s decision follows a period of intense campaigning in the sector since the release of circular 0044/2007 in 2007. The predominant demand of the campaign, the withdrawal of the circular, has now been achieved.

“The outstanding demands, which include agreement on the official models of early-immersion education in gaelscoileanna, as well as implementation of a programme of research to form the basis of strengthening the immersion education system, will be considered and agreed in a consultative manner with stakeholders.

"The decision opens the door to the necessary and comprehensive development of the early-immersion education system in gaelscoileanna. The next step in the process will involve publication of a draft statutory instrument referring to the early-immersion education system, which will be presented and agreed with stakeholders.

"Gaelscoileanna Teo extends its congratulations to the plaintiffs in the legal case and also its gratitude to the organisation’s delegation which engaged in discussions with the Department throughout the campaign in an effort to resolve the crisis. Gaelscoileanna Teo also acknowledges the central role played by Irish-language partners, education partners, and the teacher unions in particular, throughout the campaign."