Ms Elaine Sheridan:

When we are training our setters and drafters in the development of the examination papers, we set out the principles as Ms Feeney mentioned, one of them being freedom from bias. We make sure that we brief our people so that they are conscious. If they are using particular STEM list material within questions, or if the direction or angle of the question was based on what might be perceived as male-dominated examples or male-dominated stimulus material, we are very conscious to have a balance in it. It is really interesting to look at the junior cycle technology and junior cycle graphics and the leaving certificate design and communications graphics, DCG, or engineering papers. People will actually find that there is a very broad range of material. One who has not looked at these might think they would be very male-orientated examination questions and stimulus material, and they are not. There is a very broad range. It is a key aim, particularly with junior cycle reform and the introduction of new specifications at leaving certificate, to keep a very strong eye on that. We always have done so anyway.