Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 20 Feb 1990

Vol. 395 No. 9

Written Answers. - Council of Europe Convention.

John Bruton

Question:

267 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Education the reason Ireland has not yet signed the Council of Europe Convention on Scholarships for Students Studying Abroad; when the Convention was opened for signature; if she proposes to introduce legislation to ratify this Convention; the advantages of this Convention for Ireland and Europe; the countries which have ratified it; and if she will make a statement on any reservations Ireland has about the Convention from a cost or other point of view.

Minister for Education (Mrs. O'Rourke)

The European Agreement on continued payment of scholarships to students studying abroad was opened for signature on 12 December 1969. It has been signed to date by Cyprus, France, The Federal Republic of Germany, Iceland, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Spain, The United Kingdom and Austria.

Student mobility has become increasingly important in recent years as witnessed for example by the high participation in the Erasmus Programme. I have arranged that legal advice will be sought at an early date so that the necessary arrangements can be made in order that Ireland can sign and ratify the Agreement.