CV

Senator Davis Norris is the subject of this week's CV.

What schools did you attend? St Andrew's College, Clyde Road, Dublin, which was then in a decline and which I hated. Went on as a day boy to The High School, Harcourt Street, which was a superb school Any famous classmates? We were all famous to each other.

Hidden talents at school? Painted the scenery for the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta.

Where did you go to college? Trinity College

Best subject? English

Worst subject? Arithmetic

Most inspirational teacher and why? My most inspirational teacher was my English teacher, the late Jack Cornish, followed closely by the Irish teacher, the late Frank Peters. Both of them had a love of their subject which they communicated with their students and neither ever threatened violence or corporal punishment of any kind.

What's the best thing about the Irish educational system? The personal commitment of the teachers, which is met by the national desire for a good education.

The worst thing? Too much of it is geared towards exam results and there is too little practical basis. Also the continuing battles over honesty in sexual matters, particularly the necessity for including some element of information for the 10 per cent of students who will turn out to be gay.

What song most reminds you of your school days? Mr Tambourine Man by The Byrds.