Ms Elaine Sheridan:

We do not have that situation in all subjects but, because of the increase in the candidature and the reduction in the number of examiners, there have, as Ms Feeney referred to in her opening statement, been situations in which the marking window has had to be lengthened. However, we generally have the co-operation of the examiners in that. We also put contingency measures in place. This is the cycle. Deputy Ó Laoghaire mentioned the cyclical nature of this. We need to break that cycle so that we are not taking for granted the goodwill of examiners, such as Deputy O'Sullivan himself, who mark what is called the "full bunk" and are then asked to take on some more. We need to look at possible opportunities. The Deputy mentioned that, like me, he marked to help in his teaching but also to help get an appointment in a school. What we now need to look at is curricular reform. That is where we are at the minute. We need teachers to see the new junior cycle subjects and the senior cycle redevelopment that is coming along as being of benefit to them and that engaging in the marking process provides a whole-system benefit to their teaching and learning, to their students and to the State Examinations Commissions more broadly