Artificial intelligence in schools
Sir, – The new Minister for Education, Hildegarde Naughton, would be well advised to study carefully the recently published Curriculum and Assessment Review Report for England. This report, commissioned by the department for education in England, was written by Prof Becky Francis and her panel of educational experts and is grounded in extensive evidence. Its conclusions could not be more relevant for Ireland as we reshape our own senior cycle.
The UK panel is unequivocal on the fundamental threat posed by generative AI to coursework and school-based assessment. As the report states, “Generative artificial intelligence (AI) has further heightened concerns around the authenticity of some forms of non-exam assessment ... It is right, therefore, that exams remain the principal form of assessment.”
The authors go further again, recommending restraint: “We recognise the risks posed by generative AI to non-exam assessment, and therefore there should not be any expansion of written coursework.”
Unfortunately, senior cycle reform in Ireland clearly shows that Ireland is intent on moving in the opposite direction. The current plans for senior cycle redevelopment propose significant increases in coursework, including a minimum of 40 per cent of marks in the science subjects allocated to research projects assessed via indirect assessment methods. Despite the fact that the Irish Science Teachers’ Association, the ASTI and the Irish Universities Association representatives on the NCCA Biology, Chemistry and Physics have publicly dissociated from the flawed model, all of these concerns have been ignored by the Department of Education in Ireland.
RM Block
In addition, the warning that senior cycle reform will widen the social divide in Ireland is echoed in the UK panel report: externally set and marked exams remain the fairest and most reliable method of assessment.
If England concludes that expanding coursework in the age of AI is unsafe, why is Ireland proceeding down this path in such a reckless fashion? Are we really prepared to dilute the security, equity and international reputation of our Leaving Certificate at precisely the moment when other jurisdictions are tightening theirs? And if these predictable risks materialise – loss of authenticity, widened inequalities, and reduced trust in our State examinations – who will take responsibility? – Yours, etc,
ADRIEANNE HEALY,
Castleknock Avenue,
Dublin 15.
Religious education
Sir, – Although the decision of the UK Supreme Court on religious education in Northern Ireland (“Religious education in North unlawful, UK court rules” November 20th) obviously does not settle the matter in this jurisdiction, it surely must have some persuasive force in any future review by an Irish court on the issue in question.
It was argued before the court that the practice of “conveying informational knowledge in a manner which was not objective, critical and pluralistic” did not amount to indoctrination. This absurd claim was rightly rejected by the UK court, which unanimously reinstated a previous High Court decision that existing school practice was in breach of the European Convention on Human Rights.
The problem that has bedevilled the argument on both sides of the Border is the confusion of two very different processes that might be described as religious education: one, familiar to the majority who have passed through Irish schools, is the practice of teaching that a particular religion is uniquely true and worthy of respect; and that its tenets are to be accepted as dogma, beyond question or criticism. The other is teaching about religion as a human creation like language. This latter would take into account both how religions have been an inspiration for great good, as well as the motivation for monstrous and barbaric evil.
The UK ruling may give some hope for progress on this side of the Border. – Yours, etc,
JOE KEHOE,
Celbridge,
Co Kildare.
New Minister for Finance
Sir, – Your correspondent Sinéad O’Sullivan queries the suitability for office of Ministers Simon Harris and Jack Chambers (“Harris is a good politician but he’s no economist”, Opinion, October 21st).
In the case of Mr Harris he is out of his depth in the Department of Finance as “he does not have an academic background in finance or economics”. Likewise his predecessor but one Jack Chambers, the Minister for Public Expenditure, has “no professional experience in economics, capital markets taxation, or industrial policy”.
By Ms O Sullivan’s criteria two former ministers who held vital economic portfolios were totally unsuited and unqualified for the roles for which they were responsible. Both were appointed by Eamon DeValera. In 1919 the young Michael Collins became minister for finance, while in 1932 a youthful Seán Lemass became a long-serving minister for industry and commerce. Neither Collins or Lemass had any qualifications in commerce, economics or anything else. Both were, however, successful republican gunmen. Yet Collins and Lemass are today regarded as the finest government ministers who have ever served the Irish people. – Yours, etc,
Fr Iggy O’Donovan,
Glen of Aherlow,
Co Tipperary.
Sir, – The predictive criticisms made by Harvard’s Sinèad O’Sullivan of Simon Harris as Minister for Finance are part of a plausible perennial technocratic trope that could be thrown at almost any minister in any government in the modern political era.
Jennifer Carroll MacNeill cannot insert an intravenous line or perform surgery. Helen McEntee cannot fly a plane, abseil from a helicopter on to a ship at sea or handle munitions. James Browne cannot pour concrete or plumb a house and Jim O’Callaghan has never run a prison or arrested anyone.
Ministers take advice from the “permanent government” otherwise known as the Civil Service. They use their scepticism and political experience to interrogate that advice and they form policy and issue instructions accordingly. The political process is an essential counterweight to overweening technocracy, professional groupthink and inbred intellectual and ethical ferment.
In her opinion piece, O’Sullivan clearly suggests that “Finance is different”. It is complicated to be sure but some pretty catastrophic economic policies have been designed by the world’s finest economists in the past half century. Often the greatest intellectual gods of the economic firmament have been found to have feet of clay. Alan Greenspan frequently had the unquestioning ear of presidents and prime ministers when he was piloting the global economy and financial system vertically into the ground. He received honorary degrees, a knighthood and the US presidential medal of freedom as the ground rose up to meet him. I recommend Charles Ferguson’s excellent documentary Inside Job from 2010 to your readers.
Narrow cloisters of expertise must always be balanced by the general congregation of accountability. Otherwise, we wind up with a catechism and cult of pagan pin-striped superstitions like “trickle-down economics”, “too big to fail”, “this time it’s different” and “soft landings”. Maybe your readers can make a list. – Yours, etc,
MICHAEL DEASY,
Bandon,
Co Cork.
Non-offensive defence
Sir, – Rob Fairmichael in his letter of November 20th suggested non-violent means of defence in the face of invasion including “scuttling (destruction) of facilities”, “hidden disobedience” and “non co-operation with an invader”. I suspect Mr Putin would smile in the face of such a response to his invading forces. – Yours, etc,
RICHARD ALLEN,
Cummeen,
Co Sligo.
Sir – Rob Fairmichael writes about scuttling and nonviolent civilian defence as alternatives to killing an aggressor.
He also makes the claim that the second World War illustrates the power of non-violent resistance. This is difficult to understand. Violent resistance prevented the invasion of Britain and ultimately stopped the invasion of Russia. Although the struggle was truly terrible in terms of its human cost, I don’t think anyone believed, then or now, that surrender and Nazi occupation would be preferable.
Nonviolent resistance may be a viable option for a subjugated population with no other options, but no real government would ever willingly sign up to that subjugation on its people’s behalf. Those that have are judged harshly as collaborators or Quislings.
I wonder how much water the nonviolent resistance argument would hold in Ukraine today: I suspect not very much. – Yours, etc,
DONNCHA LENIHAN,
North Strand,
Dublin 3.
Dublin.
UK Covid inquiry
Sir, – The 756-page UK Pandemic report has been published which will be of assistance in learning lessons and preparing for any such events in future (“‘Toxic culture’ under Johnson delayed UK’s Covid response, says report”, World News, October 21st).
The UK government was generally derided in this country for its handling of Covid-19.
However, it has completed the task of reviewing what happened and what can be improved whereas, in contrast, the Irish Government’s Covid-19 Evaluation, which commenced in February 2025, appears to be operating under the radar with minimal media reporting and expects to submit a final report to the Taoiseach in approximately 12-18 months.
Is there any reason that this necessary exercise should take so long in this country? – Yours, etc,
JAMES STAPLETON,
Balbriggan,
Co Dublin.
Planning delays
Sir, – Whatever about the causes of delays to infrastructure in Ireland, it is common ground that legal delays stalling Ireland’s housing, infrastructure and environmental projects are directly linked to a longstanding shortage of judges.
Ireland remains the EU member state with the lowest number of judges per capita despite the promise of 44 additional judges in February 2023. Phase one provided 24 additional judges that are officially recognised as major steps toward addressing systemic delays and improving the quality and efficiency of Ireland’s judicial system.
While the 2025 Programme for Government provides for the appointment of the 20 additional judges, announced in 2023 and approved by the Cabinet in April 2025, the current Judicial Appointments Commission selection process is for only two judges. Applications closed on November 6th, 2025. No explanation has been provided for the delay.
Further, the Courts Service Board’s 2024 report states that while extra judges have reduced some delays and cancellations, the system remains under strain due to resource shortages, now also affecting administrative staff. The report describes “increased pressure placed on staff” and highlights the need for continued support and further investment to sustain and improve progress.
In a case before the courts now, the developer’s opposition to our protective costs order has led to a six-month delay, as no judge was available to hear this preliminary issue until February 3rd, 2026.
We urge policymakers and the public to recognise that speeding up Ireland’s development urgently requires the Government to fulfil and accelerate its promise for more judges and their administrative support.
Blaming citizens who bring legal actions only distracts from the real capacity crisis within the justice system. Community groups and responsible developers alike deserve a court system capable of delivering timely and fair access to justice. – Yours, etc,
TONY LOWES,
Friends of the Irish Environment,
Co Cork.
Flying the flag
Sir, – It is now about three months since national flags were hung illegally from lamp posts throughout Dublin city. At the time Dublin City Council said that it was “taking the matter seriously: it is a sensitive issue which requires a considered response from all stakeholders, and which should be informed by a comprehensive risk assessment of the situation”.
I would have thought that the council has had sufficient time to consider the situation and has done nothing. Is that because the council is afraid to enforce the law or has it made the decision that the breach of the law is acceptable? – Yours, etc,
ROBERT DUNNE,
Clontarf,
Dublin.
Phibsboro’s bare trophy cabinet
Sir, – Sylvia Thompson describes “How Bohemian FC is taking climate action into its own hands” (Science and Climate, November 20th). She omitted how the club has also eliminated pollution in the Phibsborough area from the harmful chemicals used to polish silverware. – Yours, etc,
ALAN EUSTACE
Artane,
Dublin.
William Reville science column
Sir, – I am sad to read that William Reville is retiring from his science column after 31 years. He has given great service to the non-science community. I particularly liked his ability to convey complex ideas and subjects in an easy-to-understand manner to myself and others who are not scientists. Well done William, I wish you well in your future endeavours. – Yours, etc,
BILL KEE,
Skerries,
Co Dublin.
Not the owner of Coco the cat
Sir, – To stop rumours, I am not the owner of Coco the cat (“Dispute between neighbours over cat’s toilet habits struck out”, November 21st). Yours, etc,
Geraldine Kennedy,
Donnybrook,
Dublin.
