Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

-----or any further engagements between the Minister and the respective partners in education. I understand, however, the need for clarity and certainty for the students in terms of understandable worry, anxiety and stress levels. That is absolutely clear. The Minister is also clear on that front. I am not in a position to give the Deputy a date or timeline for this particular process to be brought to a conclusion. I ask him to accept our sincerity in understanding the need for providing certainty and clarity as quickly as we possibly can.

We do not want to compound the situation for students either. With the qualifications framework, there are pathways for students, from further education and apprenticeships right through to third level education. There is a danger with three years in a row, in that by not perhaps having the same capacity as we have managed to extract from third level in the previous two years, we could create other issues that may cause stress and anxiety students. All that has to go into the mix in terms of assessment. It is fair to point out that these are real issues facing students.

See this speech in context