Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)

I have taken every opportunity to advance the cause of reform in education and of the leaving certificate. The Deputy has been present on some of these occasions. I have spoken to the NCCA to try to ensure it arrives at a speedy conclusion of its discussions and issues recommendations. The NCCA works on the basis of consensus so the process is quite slow. That is a disadvantage. Its advantage, however, is that when recommendations are finally made there is a high level of agreement. It would probably be better to have as much consensus as possible in an area as sensitive as this. I will not delay the process unduly — I will convey the views of the Deputies to the NCCA and try to speed it up.

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