Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the improvements in the State examinations in mathematics this year and the relief that must have caused for over 100,000 people sitting the examinations. Last year, on an Adjournment matter, those of us on these benches, with the assistance of the Irish Mathematics Teachers Association, along with the former Senator, Deirdre Clune, an engineer, pointed out the mistakes in last year’s examinations to the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Ruairí Quinn, himself an architect. At the time, the Minister undertook to look into it. I understand the papers were sat by experts who weeded out mistakes.

That is an illustration for young people as to how valuable the Seanad is on such occasions. It has made life much happier for those sitting public examinations this year. Credit is due to the Minister and the State Examinations Commission, as well as the role the Seanad played, in making sure those problems which caused much distress last year did not occur again in 2014.