On foot of a Government decision, the then Minister for Education and Science formally established the State Examinations Commission on 6 March 2003. The commission now has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations. Accordingly, the Deputy's query of 29 September was passed to the chief executive officer of the commission for direct reply.
I have been advised that a reply was issued to the Deputy at Leinster House on 13 October 2004. The commission is issuing a copy, as the original has not been received.