Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I apologise that I had to step out and missed Ms McManus's verbal presentation, although I have read it. I will have to step out again in a minute as I am due in the Chamber for a Topical Issues matter.

On the all-Ireland basis of the curriculum, Ms McManus will be aware that under the Good Friday Agreement, both Governments are committed to harmonising policies on an all-island basis. What work does the NCCA do with its Northern counterpart, the Council for Curriculum, Examinations and Assessments, CCEA? How often do the two groups meet and do they have any joint plans, proposals or policies coming down the line?

We are seeing increasing evidence that, in Gaelscoileanna, more and more teaching is taking place through English because of a lack of Irish-speaking teachers. Has Ms McManus any comments on that? What does the NCCA hope to do to encourage more females to engage in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, STEM, subjects?