Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)

We are moving into new territory in regard to the employment of teachers. Under this legislation, only a registered teacher will be legally eligible to be paid by a school with moneys derived from the taxpayer by way of the Department of Education and Skills. Therefore, it behoves every prospective teacher, like every prospective voter, to ensure they are registered. What we are seeking to do, without accidentally penalising anybody, is to have an information flow from the Teaching Council in respect of persons who were registered in the past but whose registration may have lapsed and those who are currently registered. I do not wish to put precise rules in this regard in primary legislation other than what is in the text. The Deputy can take it that we will have consultations with the council and will seek to ensure best practice prevails. However, it is a professional responsibility for a teacher to ensure, where employment in the State sector is sought, that he or she is registered.

I acknowledge the Deputy's comments in regard to certain criticisms of the Teaching Council, but it is not appropriate at this stage to examine them further. At the recent trade union conferences, which both he and Deputy Smith attended, I had several informal discussions with council representatives. It is a matter for the council itself to ensure it establishes a satisfactory relationship with its 73,000 registered members.

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