Mr. Barry Slattery:

If we were asked to advise on measures to encourage with regard to the implementation, we would, but our remit is clear. It is set out in the Education Act 1998. It is to advise the Minister for Education on matters relating to curriculum in early years, primary and post-primary, and the assessment procedures applied in schools and examinations on subjects which are part of the curriculum. We advise on implementation issues which are directly related to the enactment of the curriculum in the classroom. They would typically be supports with regard to guidance and support materials required for teachers, the nature and scale of continuing professional development and the lead-in for implementation of the curriculum; all focused on the implementation and enactment of the curriculum in the classroom. The measures we are looking at here are measures for encouragement. If we were requested to look at the issue specifically, it would be considered by our council and we would plan a course of action after that. However, as the executive members of the NCCA, our council has not deliberated on it and we cannot offer a position on it.