Eamonn Maloney (Dublin South West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for the frankness of his reply. Exam time is one of the most distressing and stressful times for children. I do not know if it is as stressful as fighting a general election but that is an exercise for another day. Given the age profile of those undertaking leaving certificate and junior certificate exams, and the stress that exists, everything should be done to prevent what has happened from happening. I accept the State Examinations Commission is independent, which is quite right. It is very difficult to have full confidence in any commission, irrespective of its independence, given what has happened. I acknowledge the statement to which the Minister of State referred. The commission said it would rectify it, and I hope it will, and that it was sensitive about the matter. In my contribution, I said the only way of allaying these failures is for the people concerned to be sacked or for the Minister of State to consider a review of the operation. We should not be back here next year, having the same debate.

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