asked the Minister for Education the current position of the NCEA; and his plans in regard to this body in the future.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers. - NCEA.
9.
Mr. R. Burke
The NCEA was established in March, 1972, on an ad hoc basis to serve for a period of three years or until such earlier date as a statutory council might be established. The matter of the appropriate action to be taken in relation to the question of its establishment on a statutory basis is at present under consideration
Could the Minister give me any idea as to when steps will be taken to give the NCEA a statutory foundation?
Mr. R. Burke
The Deputy will be aware from my reply that decisions will have to be made in this regard one way or the other by the spring of 1975. In that period I will take a further decision in regard to third level education in general. In this connection the NCEA will have an important role to play. I am not prepared at this stage to prejudge what my decision will be.
Is the Minister aware that he has now established an area of concern by saying "one way or the other"? Is it envisaged that there is a possibility that the NCEA will not be statutorily established?
Mr. R. Burke
I misunderstood the Deputy. I thought he was dealing with the question of whether it would be incorporated or otherwise established by legislation. That is the distinction I was making. The Deputy will appreciate that there are proposals before me which would make it a company on the one hand and on the other hand give it some other status which would be brought about by legislation of this House.
In both cases legislation is needed.
Mr. R. Burke
Yes, but that is the distinction I was making.