Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

We are tight for time. In fact, we lost the summer months for discussion as one of the unions was re-balloting its members in relation to Haddington Road, a separate issue altogether. I confirm to the Deputy that I have not received formally and in writing from the unions notice of the extra resources they want. We have received from management bodies at post-primary level suggestions about what they need to bring in the changes.

The Deputy is right about the changes. We are very anxious to sit down and talk to the unions to see what kind of assessment can be done and how, but it will be a low-stakes exam. We were prepared to discuss models, suggestions, comparators and indications of normal practice to provide assurance. To repeat what I said to Deputy McConalogue, as an interim transition in the three key subjects of English, Irish and maths, there will be a written exam and there will be assistance in relation to it. It will be set and marked by the State Examinations Commission for the time being. We are talking about something from 2017 onwards. I am open to discussing realistically, practically and in a way that gives comfort and assurance to everybody how to implement this, but I cannot accept a veto on its implementation.

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