The leaving certificate appeals process provides a candidate with an opportunity to have his/her script fully re-marked. This re-marking is done, in accordance with the original marking scheme, by an experienced examiner who is different from the original examiner. The objective of the appeal process is to detect and correct any error that may have occurred in the original marking and in doing so to ensure that all candidates are treated in a fair and even-handed manner. To introduce a further re-marking process for a particular category of candidate, as outlined by the Deputy, would not be in accord with the principle of inter-candidate equity, which applies to the existing arrangements.
In order to ensure that candidates could be confident in the correct processing of their appeal, my Department appointed examination commissioners who were given the power to examine all documentation relating to an appeal, including the candidate's script, before deciding if the appeal was properly processed or not.
In the case referred to by the Deputy, the examination commissioners have examined all documentation relating to the candidate's appeal in Irish and are satisfied that the appeals procedures were fully adhered to by my Department. This information was communicated to the candidate in November 1999.
