Cecilia Keaveney (Fianna Fail)

I have no problem with a debate being held on the OECD report. The education committee held a meeting last Thursday and it was interesting to discuss the different approaches and topics with a range of people from the third level sector, the business community and the student sector. It is important to note that they are concerned that the image of Ireland that is being conveyed is very negative, because people within the business sector said the people they encounter are not reflective of that.

I agree that there is a difference in how things are dealt with now since the incorporation of all abilities and disabilities within the classroom. However, many resources were put into classrooms. Senator O'Toole said nothing had changed other than these people had been included and that teachers had not changed. Perhaps teaching styles need to change. When I was teaching in England there were three levels for what one was teaching - high, medium and low ability.