Mr. David Cagney:

Perhaps Dr. Mac Cormaic can come in on the discussions and on where we are with the Department of Education. I cannot speak for that Department. The Deputy made a point on proficiency. Level B2 on the common European reference framework for languages is the most widely cited standard for demonstrating basic proficiency in any language in a professional context. It is also the level which the Public Appointments Service requires for general posts in the Civil Service. I believe the question the Deputy is raising is that, given that people are stating they do not feel proficient despite having come out of secondary school in recent years with perhaps even an honours qualification, could the leaving certificate incorporate the European framework levels, allowing future civil servants to recognise their own proficiency? I am not certain where the Department of Education is in that regard.