Mr. Aidan Farrell:

As the person charged with responsibility for the operation and delivery of the State examinations, we recognise the importance of the State examinations in an Irish context, particularly the high stakes leaving certificate examination. The nature of the examination systems means the leaving certificate examination is a pivotal access point, be it into the world of work or to the world of further studies. We recognise the significance of that examination. We are very conscious as an organisation of the need to keep things as stable as possible for the candidates and their parents in the lead-up to the examinations and to deliver a credible examination system without in any way setting out to catch candidates out in any way. That is not the purpose of the examination.

I think Deputy Murphy is correct that for a period there was a particular hype around the State examinations, especially leading up to the written examinations in June. Undoubtedly that would increase the focus, the stress levels and the tension levels for candidates and their families. I have noticed a lessening of that in the past two to three years. Undoubtedly, there is, and rightly so, commentary on the examinations. They are significant in Irish family life and in the education environment. There is a focus on them, but the focus has been balanced with information and feedback on how students have perceived the examinations. They then move on to the next examination.

A number of years ago, there might have been a greater focus on tips for tomorrow, which only feeds into people's stress level, because if the tip is on the poet one has not revised, it will stress people to hear this expert extolling a particular approach on radio or television on the night before the examination. That has lessened significantly in recent years. As the body responsible for both maintaining public confidence in the examinations as well as maintaining a stable environment for candidates taking their exams, that is certainly something we would welcome.