Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is not the issue I intend to raise but reference was made to Sherkin Island. I note that constituents in the middle of my constituency have been without a phone service since the last storm as well.

I am raising the commitment in the programme for Government to make Ireland have the best education service in the world by 2026. The issue that has reared its head this week is the scramble last night by the State Examinations Commission to find examiners and superintendents in the Dublin area to supervise the State examinations. This is related to the issue of teacher shortage, which we have raised repeatedly and which has been denied by the Minister. Almost exactly a year ago, the problem was denied. It has reared its head and the chickens have come home to roost. The State Examinations Commission cannot find examiners. The Minister needs to set out his plan to assist it.

While I am on the subject, it is also the case that just a fortnight ago, politics students in the leaving certificate - a subject that has been much heralded by the Government with others coming down the track - were landed with the news that about 27 of them will be obliged to sit three subjects in a single day during the leaving certificate examinations. While that happens from time to time, these students had no notice of it and it is essential that the Minister intervenes in this regard.

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