Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Leaving certificate students are preparing for their written examinations next week. They have been through a very difficult year or so, and have lost an awful lot of time, but have borne it with much dignity and commitment. I know from my experience of talking to them that they would have been very frustrated and disappointed by yesterday's news that the results will be out late, on 3 September, which is about three weeks later than usual. They have received no explanation for this. I was amazed that the Department of Education press release did not mention Central Applications Office dates. Can the Tánaiste give us some information on that? Specifically, can he guarantee that no students will lose places? I am particularly conscious of students studying outside this jurisdiction. A student in the Netherlands who needs to submit results to a university by 31 August was in contact with me; the course starts on 1 September and results will not be given until 3 September. Can the Tánaiste guarantee that students like that, and students in this jurisdiction, will not lose out on their places?

See this speech in context