Madam, - There has been much comment, not to mention some very creative newspaper headlines, over the past few days about the Christmas holiday arrangements in schools.
For the record, it was my firmly held view that schools should commence the Christmas break on Friday last, December 19th. This was the position taken by Department officials in the discussions with the unions, management and parents on the standardisation of the school year.
A key issue in these discussions was to give parents clarity and consistency about school holiday arrangements.
However, the teacher unions were agreed that they wished to have a two-week break at Easter 2004 and the additional days would be contributed at Christmas.
I hope that the current controversy will be taken into account by unions, management and parents during discussions on future standardisation. - Yours etc.,
NOEL DEMPSEY, TD Minister for Education/Science, Dublin 1.