ATTENDED three different schools and spent four years in each of them. My first was the tiny two teacher national school in Newcastle, Co Dublin, where I lived.

My parents, though, were anxious for me to attend a convent school. Because the nearest convent - the Presentation in Clondalkin - was full at the time, they sent me to the Mercy nuns at Goldenbridge, Inchicore, which was a 50 minute bus journey from my home. When eventually a place became available at Presentation, I moved the there.

I always loved school, mostly because growing up in the country meant that there were few children around me to play with. At school I made friends. I was the type of student whom later, when I began teaching, I learned to dislike a teacher's pet. I was studious and until I attended Presentation Convent I was quiet and rather shy.

The difference between the two convents was marked. Goldenbridge was extremely strict and very strong on discipline. Lunch breaks were longer than usual, I remember, and we "country girls", who were unable to return home for lunch were forced to eat our sandwiches in the classroom and the study - there was no question of time for recreation.

Clondalkin, where the regime was more relaxed, suited me far better. Sister Paul, the principal, had a great influence on me. The school focused less on academic study and more on developing the whole person. Students were encouraged to focus on what they were good at.

As a result, a lot of former students have done extremely well in later life.

It was at Presentation that I overcame my shyness. I became involved in debating and was a member of both the English and Irish debating teams. I developed debating and public speaking skills which gave me great confidence. I learned to think for myself - on my feet - and to make up my own mind on issues.

At school I had no idea that I would become a politician. I always wanted to be a teacher and my mother too thought it would be a good career for me. My father, however, was involved in politics, and I always enjoyed the buzz of elections.

I was interested in current affairs and I used to read a lot of newspapers. My favourite subject at school was maths and I went on to TCD to study economics. I then embarked on an H.Dip, which I failed to complete - because by then I had already entered politics.