asked the Minister for Education if he is aware that the results of the Leaving Certificate examination, held in June, 1945, at the Christian Brothers' Schools, Tullamore, were cancelled and a second examination held on the 24th October, 1945, at Tullamore; and, if so, if he will make a general statement regarding the manner in which the June examination was conducted, and the reasons which necessitated a second examination being held.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cancellation of Leaving Certificate Examination.
The results of the examination held in June last in the school named were cancelled in two subjects of the Leaving Certificate examination and one subject of the Intermediate Certificate examination and a supplementary examination in these subjects was held on the date mentioned in the question; this action was taken as there was evidence that some of the candidates from the school had received irregularly from a superintendent at another centre prior information or advice regarding the contents of the examination papers in the subjects in question for the June examination.
Is the Minister aware that in the Leaving Certificate examination the subjects Irish and History were cancelled, and, in the Intermediate Certificate, Irish only? Can the Minister say if he is satisfied that there was no leakage of information from any official in his Department to the superiors of the schools in question?
I am quite satisfied that there was no leakage of any information from any official in my Department. I am also satisfied that the leakage did not extend beyond the centre in question, and the subjects I have mentioned.
Is the Minister aware that members of the Gárda Síochána approached some of the teachers in the schools and questioned them very carefully on this matter of the examinations? Can the Minister let me know if it was on his instructions that the Gárda Síochána were asked to investigate the question?
I do not think that arises. The matter arose through a report received from the local superintendent of the Gárda Síochána. That was how it first came under notice.