Google welcomes probe into 'grade inflation'

One of the country's top employers, Google, has welcomed the decision by the Minister for Education Batt O'Keeffe to investigate suspected "grade inflation" in Irish education.

The high-tech firm said it is "imperative" that the integrity of our education system is maintained.

The marks handed down to leaving cert and college students between 1991 and 2009 are being reviewed, amid concern over a "dumbing down" of standards here.

Mr O'Keeffe is meeting leaving students at Saint Fanahan's College in Mitchelstown and their principal, Coleman Murphy, has said pupils' approach to the exams is the same as it always was.

But industry is concerned by a 500% increase in those getting the "perfect" leaving cert - and a trebling in the number of first class honours.