Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The next item for discussion is the framework for the junior cycle curriculum. In October 2013 the Minister for Education and Skills published a framework for the junior cycle which set out the planned reform of the junior cycle in post-primary schools. It builds on proposals developed by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment that were published in November 2011. The framework has been the subject of much comments since its publication. Earlier in the year we had a meeting with the History Teachers' Association of Ireland and examined the history aspect of the reforms.

Three delegations are present to discuss the framework. I welcome Ms Sally Maguire, president, and Ms Moira Leydon, assistant general secretary, ASTI; Mr. Des Hogan, acting chief executive, and Ms Fidelma Joyce, senior human rights awareness officer, Irish Human Rights Commission; and Mr. Chris Macey, head of advocacy, and Ms Maureen Mulvihill of the Irish Heart Foundation. We will start the ASTI presentation and I invite Ms Maguire to make her opening remarks.