An FOI request I made showed that the Minister for Education's first consideration after learning about the errors in the LC calculated grades system was self-preservation & spin https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/department-of-education-hired-pr-firm-the-day-after-leaving-cert-exams-error-came-to-light-40063429.html
I've been critical of the DES's politics by press release but contacting a PR firm ahead of bringing an issue like this to the attention of Cabinet colleagues is deeply worrying and does little to instill trust in the DES.
Timeline of events below
![Kalender 📅](https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/72x72/1f4c5.png)
![Pfeil nach unten ⬇️](https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/72x72/2b07.png)
23 Sep: Minister Foley informed of LC errors. Taoiseach contacted
24 Sep: DES hired Communications Clinic
29 Sep: Cabinet not informed of the issue despite coalition party leaders discussing errors day before
30 Sep: Errors made public at press conference by Minister
24 Sep: DES hired Communications Clinic
29 Sep: Cabinet not informed of the issue despite coalition party leaders discussing errors day before
30 Sep: Errors made public at press conference by Minister