Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I apologise. I was aware of that. The officials will have an opportunity to respond afterwards.

I need not have been as strict about allowing each speaker five minutes, so I apologise to the speakers who I interrupted. I became befuddled by the large number of people in the room.

We will go to the members now but I thank everybody for their opening statements and submissions. There are certainly some common themes. We acknowledge that teachers are the agents of change but it is important to have student input without a shadow of a doubt. Skills are the global currency of the 21st century and we undoubtedly need to develop the whole area of critical thinking and problem-solving skills among our young people. It is interesting to note the request for the possibility of being able to repeat the leaving certificate for those who have suffered bereavement or illness. This is certainly an important issue. The Committee on Public Petitions recently received a petition that another 30 minutes should be added on to the leaving certificate English exam. I wanted to mention that as this committee also received correspondence on it.

I call Deputy Thomas Byrne.