Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

There is a value to putting circulars on a regulatory basis. As I stated, the curriculum is not currently on a basis of regulation. That does not mean it cannot be implemented, as can any of the other instructions given to schools. The High Court has found in the past that items such as circulars have legal effect. It would be valuable to put the circulars on a statutory footing, removing any legal uncertainty. At the same time, it does not take from the right of any Minister to issue circulars or instructions. We will be doing that.

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