You will be aware that last week the leadership of the two post primary teacher unions, the ASTI and TUI, reached an agreement with me on Junior Cycle reform. Our agreement was set out in our joint document "Junior Cycle Reform: Joint Statement on Principles and Implementation" published last Friday.
I have to acknowledge the support that the National Parents Council Post Primary and the other educational partners gave to me and to the Department during the last two years as we sought a way to introduce the very important reform. Their support and commitment to the reform was very important to me as I strove to obtain an agreed way forward.
Now all our attention will concentrate on the reform and I look forward to the continued support of all the partners, including not only the teacher unions, but especially the parents.