Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)

I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this debate. There is no doubt but that we are living in dire straits, strange economic times and circumstances that warrant tough decisions. All of us on this side of the House would prefer if we did not have to make them but, unfortunately, the people elected us to sort out the finances and economic situation. There are tough decisions to be made.

The Minister, Deputy Quinn, managed to drive reform in such a short time in his Ministry. Since he assumed office, he has introduced some real educational reforms. The reforms of the junior and leaving certificate curricula are just some of the challenges we face. There have not been changes in this regard since the 1930s. The new junior certificate will concentrate more on critical thinking. There will be more school-based assessment, which will place less emphasis on one final exam. The new curriculum will lay the foundation for changes to the leaving certificate. This is extremely important. For far too long, pupils were just learning off the content of textbooks. New thinking is required and it is extremely important.

The Minister plans to review the CAO points system for entry to third level which could see radical changes to the college admissions system within three or four years. I compliment him on this forward thinking.

I sometimes pinch myself when I listen to some of the comments from across the floor, particularly from the former Government Deputies. Sometimes I believe I am in the film "Back to the Future" when I listen to comments in debates here but I suppose that is the way politics works.

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