Micheál Martin has promised again there will be a deal done on the Leaving Cert this week.
He said: “The students of Ireland require that” because of the “stress” and “anxious” times the stalling has caused.
The Taoiseach’s intervention again this morning will be seen as a warning shot to the teaching unions to get their house in order and strike a deal.
Talks are ongoing between Minister for Education, Norma Foley’s, department officials and representatives from the country’s two main secondary school teachers’ unions, the ASTI and TUI.
Mr Martin made a pledge last week in various interviews that there would be a resolution this week, but the unions have not budged since then.
Mr Martin has set down a new marker this morning.
The Taoiseach was speaking on his way into this week’s Cabinet meeting where the issue will be top of the agenda.
He told reporters including the Mirror outside Government Buildings: “I think it still holds in terms of clarity this week because the students of Ireland require that.
“It’s been a very stressful and very anxious time for students, and for the education world in general, because Covid-19 has upturned all of our lives, particularly young people’s lives and particularly in the context of education.
“So I think it’s very important that all involved in the talks do everything they possibly can to bring clarity now to the situation for the students in terms of the Leaving Cert class of 2021."
Mr Martin added: “I think that will happen, I think the talks have been intensive, they’re continuing and we will be briefed by the Minister for Education at this morning’s Cabinet meeting and we’ll take it from there.”
