Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The topic that is on many people's lips this morning is the decision of the ASTI to withdraw from talks on the leaving certificate, which Senator O'Loughlin raised earlier. As a former teacher, I understand where ASTI is coming from regarding calculated grades. We need perspective in this debate but, as Senator O'Loughlin said, to walk out of talks is wrong.I would appeal to the ASTI to come back into talks because the students, teachers and parents of Ireland all deserve certainty and an end to the dialling up of the rhetoric.

Calculated grades are fine in theory. Many commentators who know everything are this morning pontificating about education on the airwaves and in print. Last year we had pre-examinations, Christmas examinations and summer examinations from the year before. This year all we have are the Christmas examinations just gone. I would appeal to the ASTI to come back into talks. The present situation is unfair to everybody. I would appeal to the Minister for Education to come and address Seanad Éireann. Let us have talks and let us do so in a manner that is respectful of all sides.

I ask that the Leader would invite the Minister of State with responsibility for sport, Deputy Chambers, to come to the House to discuss the rationale and reasoning behind the decision regarding the GAA and its operation at level 5. I have a view, which is probably a minority view, that we should allow young people back playing sport and training in pods of 15. There are young people all over the country today who are frustrated, bored and dying to play a bit of sport. We have playgrounds open under level 5. We have GAA fields, soccer fields and rugby fields, the best in the country, funded in many cases by voluntary donations and by the State. I ask for perspective and that we would allow our younger people to be able to have some bit of optimism and hope by letting them train in pods of 15.