asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of the lack of progress achieved in the mutual recognition of diplomas and professional qualifications in the member states of the EEC; and the progress, if any, he has been able to achieve in regard to the mutual recognition of Irish teaching qualifications with those in the other member states of the EEC.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - EEC Recognition of Qualifications.
7.
I cannot accept the Deputy's assertion that there has been a lack of progress in the area of mutual recognition of diplomas and professional qualifications in member states of the EEC. As the Deputy may be aware, a total of seventy-eight directives have been proposed and adopted to facilitate the practice of economic activities and of professions which are governed by or subject to training conditions. Five professions from the health and animal health sector, for example, are covered by Community directives including doctors, dentists, veterinary surgeons and midwives.
As to the mutual recognition of teaching qualifications, the initiative for progress lies with the Commission of the European Communities. To date, no proposals for a draft Directive relating to the right of establishment of teachers in the Community have been prepared by the Commission.
I am disappointed with the reply in relation to teacher qualifications. Is the Minister aware that a teacher qualification, namely, the H.Dip.Ed., is not recognised in England and that this is a major problem for many people who have taken this teacher qualification? Will he now state what action he intends to take in the teacher qualification area?
I share the Deputy's concern about this question of acceptability of teacher qualifications and we have taken an initiative in the Community in this respect. Only last year, some months ago, the Commission established a working party of experts from the member states who, in co-operation with member states' Ministers of Education, have assembled information on the various policies and procedures governing the awards of teaching qualifications in each member state. The working party report is being prepared at present, I am glad to be able to inform the House, and it will then be a matter for submitting proposals for a draft directive to the Commission.
When can we expect the working party to report to the Commission?
Their report is being prepared at the moment, so that should be fairly shortly.
A final supplementary.
I would not be optimistic but the draft will emerge eventually. I am talking about the working party who have been established. There are difficulties in getting this thing going, but I share the Deputy's concern that it should be got up.
Could we expect some draft proposal or directive by the end of 1981?
That is where the delay may take place but there will be a report with the Commission very shortly.