Taoiseach: Impasse over Leaving Cert plans must be sorted 

Talks aimed at getting the ASTI back to the table to restart discussions around the arrangements for this year’s State exams failed to reach a breakthrough on Friday.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has insisted arrangements for this year’s Leaving Cert must be sorted over the coming days in the interests of students, who he said are “the number one priority.” 

It comes amidst a continued impasse between the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) and Norma Foley, the Minister for Education after the union suddenly withdrew from planning talks this week.