asked the Minister for Education if, in view of the trend in education towards a closer relationship with the community, he will establish a workshop similar to that held at Tours University concerning environmental education at university level.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Environmental Education.
83.
The workshop held at Tours in 1971 was under international auspices—OECD/CERI, Centre for Educational Research and Innovation. It was attended by delegates from Ireland. There will be a conference, under the same auspices, to review experience in this field in Rungsted, Denmark, in 1974. Delegates from Ireland will attend this conference also.
The question of holding further workshops will be a matter for consideration by the international organisation concerned.
I was seeking information as to whether the Government would consider setting up this type of workshop here to deal with Irish problems as distinct from an international workshop?
The Deputy will appreciate that these meetings are organised on an international basis and are not initiated by the national authorities. The matter of a workshop being established by any one country does not necessarily arise.
When this 1974 workshop to which the Parliamentary Secretary referred is being held, may I take it that an effort will be made at that stage to have such a workshop based in this country?
I think that is a good idea and I shall ask the Minister about it to see if something can be done in that direction. The Deputy will appreciate Ireland cannot take a unilateral decision in the matter. She could only do so in the context of a partnership in an international organisation.
84.
asked the Minister for Education if he is aware that an outline agreement for inter-regional co-operation in the field of environmental science was recently signed by representatives of six university institutions in France, Germany, Belgium and Luxembourg; and if any Irish university will participate in this programme.
I am aware that an agreement was concluded last year between six European university institutes for co-operation in the environment sector.
These institutes are the Institut Europeen d'Ecologie in Metz, the University of Metz, the Centre Universetaire in Luxembourg, the University of the Saar, the University of Trier-Kaiserlautern and the Foundation Universetaire of the Belgian Province of Luxembourg. The areas concerned are confronted with very similar environmental problems and the institutes concerned, on their own initiative, made an agreement between themselves to co-operate in this field.
The question of participation in the agreement by other universities does not appear to have arisen.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the problems that have arisen in central Europe are likely to arise here in the near future? In view of that would it not be a good idea to have some of our students participate in an agreement of this kind?
I think it would be for the Irish universities to take the initiative in a matter such as this because the institutes already participating are autonomous bodies. The Deputy may wish to take up the matter with the university authorities. I think it would not be in the first instance a matter for the Department of Education.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary not consider taking an initiative in the matter with the various universities?
The Minister would have to be satisfied that he was warranted in taking such an initiative. As the studies concerned relate to specific environmental problems in a specific area in central Europe, such an initiative by the Minister might not necessarily be warranted.
These problems may arise here in a short time.