Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is with sadness that I stand to join the tributes to our late friend and colleague, Senator Mary Jackman. For those of us who have been involved in politics for a long time, Mary Jackman epitomised all that is good about politics, with her sincerity, her warmth of personality, and her genuine interest in her city, Limerick, her people, her community, and indeed in the Fine Gael Party. She was the champion for many issues, but it was her warmth of personality, her genuine concern and sincerity, and her wonderful smile, laugh and roguery that I remember her for. I sympathise with Nick, Nicola and her sister Ursula on their sad loss today. May she rest in peace. I know we will join again to pay tribute to Mary. She was a wonderful person.

I am tempted to table an amendment to the Order of Business but I will not do that to the Acting Leader. It is time for the Minister for Education to come to the House to explain and outline the date for the issuing of the leaving certificate results for 2022.This leaving certificate class deserves better than procrastination and obfuscation from the Department of Education. I know as a teacher that there are many different pieces and parts to the exam results that are to be issued. However, the CAO, the higher education institutions and students are asking for clarity, which means being able to offer places for the new academic year. That also has an effect on rooms being available for student accommodation and planning for the new year. It is incumbent on the Minister, the political leader of the Department of Education, to come into the House today to give clarity to the leaving certificate class of 2022. We are on the eve of the leaving certificate examinations. This day next week, we will be in the second level exam season. For this reason, I ask that the Minister come to the House. When we come back after the recess next week, I will propose a motion on this if clarity is not given.