Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)

I confirm everything I said at the teachers' conferences. It is clearly on the public record and I refer to it again here in the House. The Deputy is absolutely right. If an allowance is part of a payment and the allowance is reckonable for pensionable purposes, any reasonable person will conclude that it is part of one's pay and conditions. These matters are still ongoing.

On the second point, section 30 of the Teaching Council Act will soon be activated. We are talking about education. I presume that when certain legislation is finalised in the House, I will be able to bring it into operation. One of the conditions for continued registration under section 30 of the Teaching Council Act will be demonstration to the satisfaction of the Teaching Council's own terms and conditions that continuing professional development is ongoing. I support the Deputy in his observation.

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