Sean Barrett (Independent)

I move amendment No. 23:

In page 68, subsection (2), to delete lines 27 to 29 and substitute the following:

"(a) after it has consulted with the Minister for Education and Skills and the relevant academic deans and the governing authorities of the third-level education establishments enumerated in the Institutes of Technology Act 2006 and the Universities Act 1997, and in accordance with the relevant criteria specified in the rules—".

This is to include, in the references to education and training of nurses, the bodies which carry out that education and training and thereby involving those who provide that education and seeking their views. Put in contemporary terms, a gap should not develop between Ministers and involved bodies In the House I have been concerned about the attempt of the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Ruairí Quinn, to get responses on the teaching of mathematics in schools.

According to a newspaper report, some 40% of those involved have not responded. It is a good idea that there should be contact between the Minister for Education and Skills and those providing education in the field. The other aspect of the involvement of those bodies is that it would allow any improvements that may be desired by the Minister, the universities or the institutes of technology to be made on a formal basis. I am mindful that when an issue arose previously with regard to the care of the elderly, there was some debate on whether it had been discussed in a lift in the Gresham Hotel. These matters are important. It is important that those who provide the education have a link with the Minister for Education and Skills and the board. That is the spirit in which the amendment has been proposed.