Enda Kenny has said the language as a compulsory class had failed

Some 15,000 people have signed a petition opposing Fine Gael's pledge to end compulsory Irish at Leaving Certificate if handed power.

The Union of Students in Ireland (USI), which organised an estimated 250-strong march on the party's headquarters on Monday, warned of a backlash by angry voters in the election.

Aodhan O' Dea, USI Irish language officer, claimed the plan would kill the language.

"I think it will definitely cost the party votes," he said.

"We're seeing in all areas, Gaeltacht areas, where people are very angry with this. We're seeing young people who are angry about this.

"The petition we have is 15,000 signatures, that's a lot of people who are against this policy and a lot of people who will not vote for Fine Gael if they continue with this policy."

Students from universities across the country and a small number of secondary schools marched the short distance from the Dail to nearby Fine Gael headquarters, where they handed in the petition.

Gardai put the number of protesters at 250.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny, a fluent Irish speaker, last week said the language as a compulsory class had failed.

PA Media