The education (admission to schools) Bill sets out to make the process of school admissions more inclusive, equitable and transparent. Does the Tánaiste agree that we need a process to ensure there is confidence in the junior certificate process?

Hear, hear.

Hear, hear.

Will she encourage the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, to talk to the teachers' unions about protecting the integrity of the junior certificate? We need outside, independent assessment and professionalism, and, above all, we need confidence in the process. I support the Teachers Union of Ireland, TUI, and the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland, ASTI members, who are on the picket line today. They deserve our support. They are standing up for education, pupils, teachers and this country.

Hear, hear.

The education (admission to schools) Bill is very advanced. I commiserate with the tens of thousands of students due to sit their leaving and junior certificate exams and who are working intensively. I have talked to students who feel very put out and upset in their study plans by the two strikes that have happened so far and I am concerned about them. As an experienced trade unionist such as the Deputy would know, the way to deal with it is for the two unions to sit down with the Minister, who has offered a very readily implementable structure, which meets the needs for reform and retains a significant, externally moderated exam.

I call Deputy Troy.

On a point of order, I had my hand up last Thursday.

I will get to Deputy Coppinger. Only three Deputies remain.