Jim D'Arcy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

----- and the quality of teaching and learning. Thankfully history as a subject in our schools at the moment has a reputation for excellent delivery and I have no doubt but that this will continue to be the case.

I welcome the motion tabled by the Independent Senators. It offers a timely opportunity to debate a most important topic, namely, the teaching of history at junior cycle level. However, as the statement of learning on the matter makes clear, it is already a core part of the junior cycle syllabus. The next step would be to make compulsory history as an examination subject and we have had too much compulsion in Ireland. For this reason, notwithstanding the excellence of the motion and the impassioned and excellent delivery of my colleague, Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell, I ask that the amendment be accepted.