Vol. 410 No. 4
71 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Education the present position in relation to the achievement of the objective of the White Paper Completing the Internal Market in regard to the rights of establishment for the self-employed.
The completion of the Internal Market in regard to the rights of establishment for the self-employed, in so far as the matter falls within the area of responsibility of my Department, is being addressed in the context of General Directives on the Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications. The first General Directive (89/48/EEC) was adopted by the Council on 21 December 1988 and provides for a general system for the recognition of higher education diplomas awarded on completion of professional education and training of at least three years duration. This Directive was implemented by me on 2 January 1991 by a statutory instrument, S. I. No. 1 of 1991. Directive 89/48/EEC applies to any national of an EC member state wishing to pursue a regulated profession in another member state in a self-employed capacity or as an employed person.
A proposal for a complementary directive on a general system of mutual recognition of professional qualifications below the level of three years higher education is at present being negotiated in Council and the present indications are that a common position on this proposed directive will be reached before the end of 1991. The complementary directive will apply to the self employed as well as to employed persons.
