Ms Celeste O'Callaghan:

At the outset, I drew the distinction between the policy role and the operational role. We would be conscious and aware of individual issues that would arise, which we would receive through various communications to the Department. We would often be in contact with the SEC in that regard. We would also be conscious of the SEC's statutory remit and its operational responsibility for the State exams. In that sense, we would not have an interventionist role regarding specific issues in an ad hoc way. From a departmental perspective, the important thing for us is that the SEC is able to conduct the forthcoming review. I know it has commenced planning in that regard. I think it has been clearly mentioned by Ms Feeney and commented on by members that there would be extensive consultation within that review that would take account of the views of all stakeholders, and that the review would be consulted in as timely a way as possible.