Mr. Gerard Hanlon:

It could be. The consultation will be on the syllabus. Specification here means syllabus. One actually has to engage in translating what the language means. That is what specification means in this case.

I speak with all due respect to my colleagues on my left. I refer to a Department of Education and Skills presentation for the information of principals and schools. It was an in-service the Department gave in the spring of this year. The final slide, as to how one would implement the new framework document said that one would have to have the three core subjects – English, Irish and maths – and it suggested that science should be core. In terms of the knowledge economy I can see science being a core subject and then it gave the options. One could have history, French or business. If one requires a modern language for university entrance then the parent of a first-year student will say he or she must take French. Someone else could say that business is important. We are also up against the utilitarian nature of education, that subjects will be seen as useful. Deputy Ó Snodaigh referred to education for citizenship as opposed to for use or for being a consumer. The Department in one of its own presentations to school principals and deputy principals has offered the example that history could be put against French or business. For me in a nutshell, that is the problem with the new document.