Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I know, and I appreciate the answer. The objective in the future should be to recognise that if an examination date is given, then students are prepared for that. If we are trying to ensure that we are cutting down on stress, then that scenario would be stressful for a student. Sometimes we overinflate other types of stress. It would, however, be stressful if an examination was due to happen on a particular day and people were then told one or two days before that it is not going to go ahead. I hear Ms Feeney's answer. I understand why there would has to be a back-up plan for circumstances where students become ill or if there are bereavements and where they have to take the examinations later. When it comes to attrition as a result of an examiner not being available, however, we should try to ensure that we can provide for that closer to the time.