Hanafin seeks advice on poet

Minister for Education Mary Hanafin said she was looking forward to receiving advice from the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) shortly on the prescribed text for Leaving Certificate Irish in future years.

The Minister was replying to Fine Gael education spokesman Brian Hayes, who asked her about the "appropriateness, or otherwise" of having the work of Donegal poet Cathal Ó Searcaigh on the current syllabus.

Ms Hanafin recently defended the assistance she gave Mr Ó Searcaigh in securing a visa for a Nepalese friend of his to visit Ireland, adding that she was "appalled and shocked" by recent reports concerning the poet's relations with teenage boys in Nepal.

She said yesterday that she was "quite shocked and appalled" by what she had read in newspapers.

She was aware, she said, of the controversy and was conscious that she should not make any statements to the House which could be deemed to be prejudicial in the event of any proceedings arising in the matter.

"I accept the social, personal and health education course in particular aims to equip students with an awareness of their rights and responsibilities, and the values, knowledge and skills for ethical decision-making," she added. "I am also conscious of the need for positive role models for our young people." Ms Hanafin said that the issue was complex and must be considered carefully and in a measured way.

Advice on prescribed material for the Junior and Leaving Cert exams was submitted to the Department of Education and Science by the NCCA.

Prescribed texts were notified to schools a number of years in advance and must be done so in time to ensure that educational publishers were in a position to provide an adequate supply of texts.

"Poems belonging to the person referred to by the deputy are on the prescribed list for the 2008 and 2009 Leaving Certificate examinations. As students may already have done considerable work on them, it would be unfair to change the list at this stage," she added.

"This poet's work has been included in the prescribed texts as it is nationally and internationally recognised. The NCCA has looked at the poetry and considers it suitable and appropriate for its intended audience. It will, however, be advising on a new list of prescribed texts for future years." Mr Hayes said that the Minister had ultimate power in the matter and must take advice from the NCCA. Ms Hanafin replied that it was not open to her to change something that was on the course.