I raise the issue of junior cycle history with the Minister, in particular, retaining it as a core compulsory subject. I speak with a degree of knowledge. In 1997 or 1998, prior to my becoming Minister for Education, an attempt was made to remove history as a compulsory subject. I vetoed it on that occasion and stopped it. I am not normally one for interfering and understand the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, NCCA, must go through its processes. However, history is inextricably bound up with our sense of society, our sense of the past, and has application in a parliamentary democracy. It is imperative that we cultivate and nurture the study of history in schools. If it becomes non-compulsory or is not a core part of the junior certificate cycle, the level of follow-through to the leaving certificate will be even lower. As the humanities are losing out within the education system, I ask the Minister to speak to the Minister for Education and Skills to tell him that there is precedent for him not to take on board the advice of the NCCA in that regard.

As the Deputy noted, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment undertook a review of this issue because the Minister for Education and Skills had asked it to do so. The Department received the NCCA's report in July and the Minister is giving it full consideration within his Department. It includes consideration of some very useful proposals made by the NCCA for how we can promote the study of history. I take the Deputy's concerns on board and will pass them on to the Minister.