Mr. Pat Burke:

I could not but agree with the Senator on that when we consider the types of issues that arise. We now have the ability, if there is a national or localised problem, to run contingency papers or an alternative sitting. However, the concept of dealing with an individual student who has suffered a bereavement or where something serious has happened on the day of the exam is very difficult. Inexorably, this probably brings us in the direction of a repeat exam. All things being equal, it is not that anyone would say a repeat exam is a bad idea. After all, there are repeat exams at third level. The difficulty we have is the immutable deadlines.