Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

It would be the wrong interpretation to say I have asked the NCCA for a report, as it does that every time new prescribed texts must be provided. The course is due to change anyway, to be given to schools for September of next year, for inclusion in the leaving certificate course for the next batch of fifth years and sixth years. It is part of the body's regular work.

As the Deputy said, I am quite shocked and appalled at what I have read in newspapers. I have not yet seen the film. The inclusion of any literature on a paper as part of a course must be looked at on its literary merit, as has been stated. As a former teacher who taught these poems, I can understand the case could prove difficult for teachers. The students are 17 or 18 years old, who equally have been trained to evaluate and discuss such issues.

I hope and believe the NCCA will take all these issues on board, including the merit of the literature, the teaching of it and the circumstances that would arise in a classroom. When it decides on courses and literature to be included in a course, there is a committee made up of teachers which advises on each of the subject areas. All those issues would be taken into account.

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