Fianna Fáil denies split over exam league tables

FIANNA FÁIL members of a committee asking the Government to review its policy on the release of school exam results insist they support Education Minister Mary Hanafin’s firm opposition to school league tables, despite an apparent split from the party line.

Fine Gael deputy leader Richard Bruton claimed that last week’s decision of the Oireachtas Finance Committee to recommend the release of exam results under the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act highlighted a break in Government ranks on the matter.

The committee was considering the matter as part of a review of the FoI Act’s operation, and differences between various ministers and Information Commissioner Emily O’Reilly. She and Mr Bruton’s party favour the release of all information on schools, including a breakdown of results in the Junior and Leaving Certificate.