asked the Minister for Education if he will make a statement concerning the recent breakdown of the negotiations on salaries and allowances between his Department and the Vocational Teachers Association under the chairmanship of Mr. MacDermott of the Labour Court.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers. - Vocational Teachers' Salaries.
25.
The position is that the Vocational Teachers Association and I are two of the parties to a scheme of conciliation and arbitration which precludes public agitation in relation to matters which have been submitted for discussion under that scheme. Accordingly I feel that it would not be right for me to make any statement on the matter referred to in the Deputy's question.
I put it to the Minister that, following his attendance at the annual conferences of the three teaching organisations, the time may now be opportune for him to take a personal initiative to have a further negotiating conference convened, if necessary under the chairmanship of Mr. MacDermott, with a view to reopening the so far abortive discussions and to have the matter resolved before it becomes more impossible and strike notice expires.
The Deputy is aware that I have appealed to the various groups to come together. I think that all the possibilities at conciliation level have not been exhausted and can only repeat my hope that the teaching bodies will come together again.