Vol. 532 No. 2
26 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Education and Science the qualifications of persons he has in mind in his contingency plans for correction of leaving certificate scripts; the background of these persons in education; and if he is satisfied with the ability of these persons, now outside the teaching profession, to do this work to an honours leaving certificate standard in specialist areas. [6853/01]
I have already made it clear in responding to Deputy Creed's priority question that I consider it incumbent on me as Minister to safeguard the examinations and to that end I have had my Department continue to develop contingency plans for conducting and marking the examinations having regard to the necessity of maintaining a quality approach to the marking process. While it would be inappropriate to make further comment on this matter while the Labour Court process continues, I must reiterate at this stage that contingency plans continue to be developed firmly based on the maintenance of the principles of quality and integrity.
I again emphasise to the House that a resolution of the dispute remains my top priority. Preparation of alternative arrangements is simply prudent in the interests of the students. It is my sincere hope that there can be a resolution of the dispute through the work of the Labour Court and that consequently there will be no need to activate the contingency plans.
