Opposition parties have been demanding clarification from the Cabinet on how it plans to replace the Leaving Cert, should it press ahead with the decision to cancel the exam today.
Fianna Fáil's Thomas Byrne, who called for the exam to be cancelled last week, said public health must come before tradition, but the Department must also explain exactly how any new system will work.
Sinn Féin's Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire claimed Government indecision had become unbearable for students. The route forward now, he said, should focus on maximising third-level choice.
Green Party Deputy Leader Catherine Martin argued Leaving Cert students had suffered unnecessarily, and they need to be assured now that 'Plan B' will guarantee fairness.