Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Of course I will look at such matters continually but I will not defy public health advice approach, no matter which way it goes. I will not decide on the floor of Dáil Éireann that I will move exams online because I do not control the decision and institutions are autonomous. Additionally, such a decision is not in our space, and as politicians and public representatives our role is to put in place the framework endorsed by public health. That has been working well.

It is entirely correct - I do not view it as an inconsistency or inappropriate - that different institutions must make different calls on this because they have different facilities available.

That has been the case since the return to on-site activity. That is where our colleges differ very much from our schools in the size of examination halls, the potential for some exams to take place online and the potential for others not to. I am satisfied our institutions are applying public health advice to their facilities. I fully agree with the Deputy's point that maximum flexibility, common sense and accommodation must be shown to students who, for appropriate health reasons, cannot attend an exam on-site. I could not agree more with the Deputy on that and I will work with her if there are any examples where that is not the case.

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