Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)

The information the Minister has given the House is worrying because it confirms the trend identified by many people in the education system in recent years. It seems the Minister has only recently taken action following conversations he has had with senior people in leading multinational companies located in the State. It is right and proper that the views of such persons be heard. However, two years ago, the Minister's Department, through the State Examinations Commission, rubbished data published under the name of the Network for Irish Education Standards which highlighted the problem of grade inflation, particularly in respect of the leaving certificate, over the past two decades. Given its rubbishing of these findings, does the Minister have confidence in the State Examinations Commission? Does he have confidence in the Higher Education Authority and in the universities' quality assurance system? It seems the regulatory system we charge with putting a premium on higher education has been found wanting.

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