‘This was a ministerial decree. That’s not the way to bring people with you’

This is the inside story of how the government did a U-turn on its proposed three-day week for Leaving Cert students after the teachers’ unions and students awarded Norma Foley a ‘fail’

Norma Foley: the Minister for Education was motivated by a desire to ensure the traditional Leaving Cert should go ahead as planned this summerPicture: Julien Behal