Mr. Eamonn Moran:

I thank Deputy Bríd Smith for her questions. I will take the question on the process of developing guidelines and Ms Egan will address the query regarding external agencies and ethos. As regards guidelines, I do not know the full details of the Dutch experience of making sex education compulsory. However, as members are aware, in making policy decisions on curriculum content, the Department is advised in the first instance by the NCCA. A very significant element of the policy development process of the NCCA is a consultative process engaging with all the players in the field, including students, parents, educators, school leaders and other agencies active in the particular curriculum area, including teachers' professional bodies.