asked the Minister for Education if she will publish the text of the UNESCO circular letter CL/3018 of 28 August 1986, entitled Convention on Technical and Vocational Education; if she will outline the implications for Irish education of the signing of this convention by the Government; if she will list those organisations whose views on the signing of the convention have been sought by her Department or by the Irish National Commission for UNESCO; the views, if any, which have been expressed by agencies consulted; in the event of no consultation having taken place and the convention not having been signed the forms of consultation her Department or the Irish Commission for UNESCO intend to undertake; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - UNESCO Convention on Education.
The question of publication of UNESCO letter CL/3018 dated 28 August 1986, does not arise. This was a letter addressed by the Director General of UNESCO to the Minister for Education. The letter concerns a possible Convention on Technical and Vocational Education. A first draft of the convention was submitted by UNESCO for our comments on the understanding that a special committee of governmental experts may be convened in 1989 to prepare a final draft of the convention.
My Department's inspectorate has examined the first draft in detail. The Irish Vocational Education Association and the Teachers' Union of Ireland were also asked for their views. The comments of the letter are awaited.
The question of signature of the convention does not arise at this stage.