Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE) | Oireachtas source

I do not buy it and the important point is the students will not buy it. They will not buy the idea that the Minister listened and that she and the Government did everything that was possible. A full 67% of students in a very widely shared and participated in survey by the students union said they did not want a traditional leaving certificate exam but the Government is pushing ahead with a traditional exam, with a couple of tinkering changes around the edges. That is all it is and that is cold comfort to the students. We know that even in a normal, non-Covid year, around 57% of students report suffering mental or physical illness due to the stress. Add in the experience of Covid, the fear of getting Covid and of missing exams and we are talking about horrendous, unnecessary pressure this year. I will make the point again that it is not necessary. It is an artificial shortage. Why not put the investment in to ensure there is a third level place for anyone who wants to avail of it?

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