asked the Minister for Education how she proposes to ensure that students are awarded reasonable and objective grades at group cert relative to what would be expected of the type of student for whom the group cert was originally intended.

I am satisfied that reasonable and objective grades are being awarded at the group certificate examination.

Will the Minister agree that whether we are talking about the leaving certificate, intermediate certificate or group certificate examinations there should be a normal pattern of distribution as between failure, pass and honours?

Of course the procedures of the examinations referred to are the same. Members of the inspectorate of my Department are responsible for ensuring a consistency of standard from year to year and for determining the appropriate standard required in relation to the evolution of school courses generally and to the normal capabilities of the candidates who enter for the examinations. The procedures are the same for all examinations.'

Will the Minister say what consultations the inspectorate and officials in the Department enter into in relation to assessment and review of the procedures, or are there such reviews?

The inspectorate and the examinations branch are constantly reviewing the procedures concerning examinations. It would be very remiss of us if we did not do that constantly.

Do the Department consult the vocational and other interests involved?

I am calling the next question. Deputy Faulkner has sat here for the past 30 minutes. I am calling Question No. 15.

Since the Minister does not answer the questions asked what does the Chair expect us to do?

That is unfair.

I have called Question No. 15.