Mr. Diarmaid Ferriter:

We need to know how it evolved historically. It is true of all of these pressing issues that we debate, whether it be political reform or confronting difficult aspects of the past. The point the Chairman made in that context is very important.

The other issue the Chairman raised was the question of compromise. I have crossed swords publicly with the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Ruairí Quinn, on this issue and have no doubt about his personal interest in history, but he reassured me and others that as a result of this framework document - to use his words - "history will be embedded in the very heart of the curriculum." I have not heard anything today that leads me to believe that statement that history will be embedded in the very heart of the curriculum. I have heard a lot the words "could", "hopefully" and "is expected". When we talk about a possible compromise, we need to know what it will involve because it seems as if there is no clarity as to what this will be in practice. That, for me, is a huge concern because it could result ultimately in there being vagueness such that there will not be the possibility for history to breathe as a subject.