Education would be a central priority for Labour in government, the party's leader, Mr Pat Rabbitte, said at the weekend.
He said that, sadly, the reality was that Irish education was a system which, despite its many qualities, was poorly resourced, could be excessively narrow and too often failed to meet the high standards which society demanded for children.
Reiterating his demand for a "fair society," Mr Rabbitte said his party's vision was based on social justice, sustainable development and personal freedom.
It would be an Ireland with no tolerance of poverty, which was governed openly and honestly, and which had no cause to be ashamed of its democratic institutions.
"Education has brought about a revolution in Irish society in recent decades. It has fundamentally altered the way in which our economy functions and the opportunities which are open to our citizens.
"In the Ireland of the 1950s, there were limited opportunities for those who did not inherit property of some kind. The family farm and the family firm offered little prospect to those who were not born into the family.
"The advent of free education and the growth in our economy which it facilitated, has opened many new opportunities to work and get ahead for people who once were denied those opportunities."
Addressing a Labour party youth conference in Dromineer, Co Tipperary, Mr Rabbitte said that development, enhancement and reform of the education system would be at the heart of Labour's agenda in government. "I want the next government in Ireland - where I believe Labour values will be the major force - to be remembered as the education government."