The front page of The Irish Times of May 21st 1963 trumpeted "Big changes to be made in education". This was the public announcement of what Dr Paddy Hillery describes as the high point of his time in office as Minister for Education.

He established comprehensive schools and a new principle - the provision of second-level school buildings by the State. He also announced the establishment of technological colleges with regional status.

"It was a very busy time," recalls Hillery, "and a very big chance." His personal triumph was persuading the Taoiseach and the Minister for Finance that the State was the only body which could set up a complete system of education. The policy had been to leave education to the religious bodies, he recalls.

During his term, Hillery also recognised special needs schools as national schools. "That gave them a great boost. Teachers were paid and the schools could get building grants."

He remembers a strike in Ballina, Co Mayo, in a school run by the Marist teachers. Lay teachers were not considered for top appointments and a strike was in the offing. He persuaded Cardinal Dalton that lay teachers should be considered for promotion - "a great achievement," he says. Things that were very difficult to achieve then are taken for granted now, he says.

Some 34 years ago, the seminal Investment in Education report was published. The report, by Professor Patrick Lynch, contained the first drawing together of quantitative data and first set of statistical projections on the needs of the education system. Hillery, who instigated the report, says it was a difficult proposition, as it meant exposing the system to international scrutiny. "It was a brave act by the Government," he adds.

In another controversial manoeuvre, Hillery says "I moved UCD to Belfield . . . not single-handedly, of course." There was a great deal of opposition and criticism, he adds.

In a career full of turbulence, he says the low spots were the difficulties in pushing the various measures through.