Eugene Murphy (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I may not need all of my time, as most Senators are making the same points and asking the same questions. I pay tribute to the Minister and her officials for the manner in which they handled the process leading up to this year's leaving certificate. The Minister has given hope to students and parents. One of my children will sit the leaving certificate this year. That the Minister has managed to remain calm in all of this is wonderful. The Minister will never know what that meant to students. Students engaged with the Minister and her officials and they listened to them. It is important that happened. I note that the Minister has on numerous occasions acknowledged the students' unions and the many good points they brought forward. We were in uncharted waters. We were in new territory. Education is a huge challenge. Dealing with the future livelihood of thousands of our young people was, I am sure the Minister will agree, a serious burden on her shoulders but all times she remained calm and cool and, along with her officials, she worked on this and when she got it right she brought forward her decision and it has meant an awful lot to students.

I know from talking to my son and some of his friends that there is a great deal of anxiety among students, but they say it is not a mental health issue, that it is just that some of them are anxious about things. This is caused by a lack of contact with people and no access to sports and their friends. Those who did not like going to school realised after a number of weeks that school was not the bad place they thought it was. Some people just do not like schoolwork or school. In that regard, if there are students who need support in that way now, it would be important that the system recognises that and puts in place additional supports for them.

A number of questions have been already asked and I do not propose to repeat what others have said. The question I would like answered is where do we stand with the review of the leaving certificate? I am aware that this is an issue in which the Minister has taken a keen interest so I would appreciate it if she could update the House in that regard. I know nobody wants to talk about this time next year and the possibility that we might still be dealing with Covid-19, but if we are, will we have a plan? I note that the Minister acknowledged in her opening statement that next year's leaving certificate students have been partly affected as well and that account has been taken of that. It is extremely important that we know where we are going and that if we have to live with Covid and restrictions and so on, we are well prepared for it. I have no doubt the Minister has taken that into account but I would welcome an update from her in that regard.

It is important to mention the many heroes in relation to this matter. Without doubt, our students have been heroes. We should be really proud of students across the country. In general, they have been fantastic. At this stage, they have lost almost a year and half of their youth. Can anyone imagine if that had happened to us in our youth?How would we face into the lack of contact, games and school? All of this was just taken away from them in one fell swoop. They have been remarkable and adults should acknowledge that. I think we do.

We must also acknowledge principals. I spoke with the principal of a local secondary school recently. Principals have done tremendous work. From speaking to those principals, I can say that everyone of them are so concerned to do their very best for every student and get them through this, particularly this year. Again, school committees and parents will play their part as well. Those young people gave us the chance to deal with it. The Minister came out with a very good package. The choice was so important. Students have recognised that we do listen to and care about them and will do our best for them. They will recognise that and pay society back in their own way. I again thank the Minister and call on her and her officials to keep up the good work. I look forward to engaging with her over the coming months and will bring forward any ideas I have.