asked the Minister for Education the implications for Ireland of Council Directive 89/48/EC concerning the mutual recognition of professional and vocational qualifications; and if she will list the Irish qualifications which will be recognised throughout the EC under this Directive.
Written Answers. - Educational Qualifications Recognition.
130.
Council Directive 89/48/EC relates to regulated professional activities in so far as the taking up or pursuit of such activities is subject, directly or indirectly, by virtue of laws, regulations or administrative provisions to the possession of a qualification awarded on completion of professional education and of at least three years duration, or of an equivalent duration part time, at a university or establishment of higher education. Qualifications awarded by certain professional associations which are recognised in a special form by a member state also come within the scope of the Directive.
The implications of the Directive are that members of a regulated profession in Ireland would be entitled, subject generally to the terms of the Directive, to practice their professions in any other member state which regulates the profession concerned. Similarly members of regulated professions in other member states would be entitled to practice regulated professions here.
The Directive does not apply to professions in respect of which separate sectoral Directives have already been adopted.
In this country we have a relatively small number of professional activities which could be considered to be regulated in accordance with the provisions of the Directive. However, discussions are ongoing with the Commission on the exact scope of the Directive so I am not in a position to provide a list of all the professions and qualifications concerned.
The Directive is to be implemented by all member states by January 1991.