Seanad debates
Wednesday, 8 October 2003
Benchmarking: Motion.
I listened to Judge Quirke, the chairman of the body. He was untouchable, clean, not subject to any pressure and did his job, as he said, as if he were sitting in the High Court. It is unacceptable to say that this happened behind closed doors. There was no deal involved. Look at the education sector. I can give an example of what has happened in Irish education over the last number of years. We have seen the introduction of science in the curriculum, information technology to every school, a full new curriculum, whole school inspection, new contracts for teachers and of social, personal and health education. I could mention more. No country in western Europe has managed to introduce, through negotiation, a new curriculum that has the support of teachers, parents, management and the political parties. That fact is on the record and it has been delivered. As proof of the pudding, the OECD in its latest report on education has shown that Irish schools are delivering.
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