I return to the matter of the leaving certificate examination. Students are in a position now where it is unclear when they will return to the classroom. This year's sixth years are doubly disadvantaged because, of course, their fifth year studies were hugely disrupted last year and now they find themselves in a hugely pressurised position where their learning has been absolutely disrupted. They have made clear that they need clarity at this point. They need to know that there will be fairness at play and that they will be afforded a level of choice to sit the traditional examination if that is possible in the summertime or to have an alternative continuous-assessment grading system also. The Taoiseach is now honour bound to make clear to students that that level of choice will be granted. Any pretence now that we will have business as usual come the summer has absolutely zero credibility. These young people have really suffered and they are suffering now with the lack of clarity and with the anxiety that they are experiencing, as are their families and the teachers concerned.

The Deputy's time is up.

Can the Taoiseach may clear now that choice will be given to these leaving certificate students? Can he give them that level of reassurance and clarity today?

The Government is acutely aware of the enormous stress and anxiety that has been placed on leaving certificate students this year, particularly as they were in fifth year last year when schools closed as a result of the emergence of the pandemic and, because of this acute phase of the pandemic, schools have not been in a position to reopen. That creates real difficulties and challenges for the students concerned. The Minister consistently has engaged with all the partners in education in relation to this, including the students' representatives, and is listening very carefully to the voices of the student representatives and of students more generally as they are articulated across the country. The Minister has been engaging with the partners in education and with the national advisory committee that represents all of the stakeholders in relation to the examinations, and will be, when they have decisions taken-----

When?

Last week, the Deputy was really on a rant about consultation in education.

The time is up. We cannot have a lengthy debate about the matter.

The Deputy was the person who consistently argued about the need for consultation. To be fair to the Minister, Deputy Foley, she has been consistent on consultation.

We are now way over time.

What I am saying is that consultation is under way and it is happening. When it is right and when the Minister has concluded those consultations with the partners and with the State Examination Commission, and with the advisory committee, they will-----

The Taoiseach is way over time.

It is a very sorry-----

Deputy McDonald is out of order. The Deputy should not be interrupting me in that manner.

It is a very sorry state of affairs when a Head of Government finds questions asked as a rant.

Will Deputy McDonald resume her seat?

I did not say that.

I would ask the Taoiseach to withdraw it.

I said last week Deputy McDonald-----

I am entitled to be treated with some level of respect.

Hold on a second now. Deputy McDonald-----

Please, please.

No.

Please.

That is what happened last week. The Minister for Education was attacked last week wrongly for not consulting by the Deputy.

The Taoiseach uses the floor to answer questions.

There is ten minutes gone on this issue with one Deputy.

The Minister is consulting with the partners-----

The Taoiseach is a disgrace.

Please, Deputies.

-----and is engaging, and we will respond appropriately.

Not alone is the Taoiseach incompetent but he is ignorant.