Vol. 529 No. 3
34 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress being made to resolve the ASTI dispute; and if he is maintaining contact with all the other partners in education to ensure industrial calm is restored and maintained in education at all levels. [2704/01]
41 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science his proposals for the amicable resolution of the dispute with the ASTI, with particular reference to the need to restore industrial peace at an early date and in sufficient time to facilitate students taking junior and leaving certificate examinations in 2001; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2783/01]
68 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Education and Science the situation regarding his efforts to resolve the industrial dispute with the secondary teachers association; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1900/01]
78 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has replied to a letter received on 16 January 2001 from the ASTI; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1692/01]
79 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will detail the Government's contact with the Association of Secondary Teachers of Ireland in relation to the teachers' dispute. [2086/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 34, 41, 68, 78 and 79 together.
I have maintained contact with the Association of Secondary Teachers of Ireland and all the other partners in education throughout the current dispute. In addition, officials from my Department and the Department of Finance have recently been involved in discussions with the facilitator, Mr Tom Pomphrett. Following those discussions a proposal was issued by Mr. Pomphrett which has been accepted by both parties. A process has been agreed which will involve both parties requesting the Labour Court, acting on an ad hoc basis, to examine the ASTI claim in respect of teachers pay and the position of the Government in relation to the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness and public service pay policy and to make recommendations to the parties for the resolution of the dispute. This process will get under way very shortly and in the circumstances it would not be appropriate for me to make any further comment on any matters in relation to the dispute.
