asked the Minister for Education the academic standing of the leaving certificate (say five subjects to "C Grade") in (a) ordinary papers and (b) higher papers compared with GCE in Northern Ireland and England; the steps, if any, being taken to have the leaving certificate freely recognised in Northern Ireland and England as a comparable academic qualification to the GCE; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

It is difficult to compare these two sets of examinations because of the difference in the programmes and structures on which they are respectively based. It is our view, however, that a grade in a subject at ordinary level in the leaving certificate examination is higher than the corresponding grade in that subject at the GCE ordinary level examination but lower than the corresponding grade in the GCE "A" level examination and that a grade in a subject at higher level in the leaving certificate examination approximates to a corresponding grade in the GCE "A" level examination. The acceptance, in Northern Ireland and England, of leaving certificate examination results depends on the standards required by many different institutions. Every effort is made, however, on a continuing basis and in the widest possible context, to maintain and extend the recognition accorded to our examinations by competent authorities outside the State.

Is the Minister aware that it has been reported in a newspaper that the leaving certificate results have not been acceptable for entry into the third level institutions in England? What personnel in his Department are occupied in keeping in continuous contact with the Northern Ireland and English authorities to ensure that our leaving certificate at ordinary and higher levels continues to correspond with the GCE O level and A level? Does he agree it is important that comparability continues to be maintained?

I certainly agree with the Deputy that the maintenance of comparability is very important. The inspectorate in my Department look after that. I have a special knowledge of this myself. I am not aware either from correspondence or any other communication that there is a problem. The Deputy mentioned a newspaper report. I have no solid evidence about that, but I have very solid and very surprising evidence about comparability from my private knowledge.

Having acknowledged the importance of continuing comparability, can the Minister give an assurance to the House that there is continuous contact with the British and Northern Ireland education authorities and personnel in his Department?

I can assure the Deputy and the House that that is so, not merely with the British and Six County authorities, but also with other countries in the EEC. Some fourth year students in an Irish secondary school took the Oxford and Cambridge advance levels some years ago and the results were very encouraging and very interesting.