The Leaving Certificate exam may need to be modernised, with a greater emphasis on continuous assessment and project work, the Minister for Education, Dr Woods, has signalled.
In an interview in today's EL (Education and Living) section of The Irish Times, the Minister also robustly defends his handling of the Jamie Sinnott case, claiming he was "vindicated" by the Supreme Court ruling in the case.
On teachers' pay, he expresses confidence that teachers will emerge from the current benchmarking process with significant pay increases.
Dr Woods says ASTI's decision to co-operate with this year's exams has generated a great deal of goodwill.
There was a new, more positive atmosphere with ASTI which could help to resolve matters.
Dr Woods also rules out the payment of any "hello money" for maths and science graduates who decide to enter teacher-training.
While stressing the need for the widest possible consultation on the Leaving Cert, Dr Woods says he personally favours the inclusion of other assessment models.
He says: "The Leaving Cert is a tried and trusted exam that enjoys a strong level of public support. From a personal point of view, however, I would like to see a more wide-ranging exam that tests a wider range of abilities. I think there might be a greater role for a range of other continuous assessment models".
On the Sinnott case, he denies that the Government has improperly pursued the Sinnott family through the courts.
On the contrary, he says he has at all times sought to protect the Sinnotts.
He is unapologetic about his decision to take the case to the Supreme Court: "What we wanted from the Supreme Court was a clear statement on what the position was because -- as has been vindicated by the Supreme Court now -- the findings of the High Court left us with numerous quandaries, we had no clear definition."
Asked about the widespread public criticism of the Government's handling of the Sinnott case, he says: "You have to do what you think is right...and my decision has been borne out".