Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 318: To ask the Minister for Education and Science his views on whether it is wise to prolong his confrontation with the teaching profession; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10096/04]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I do not accept that there is ongoing confrontation with the teacher unions. Both my officials and I will continue to engage with the teacher unions in a meaningful way on all matters relating to the education system. Consultation with all the education partners is crucial to the ongoing development of our education system. In that regard I launched "Your Education System" a process of national consultation on Irish education. The aim of the process is to encourage the widest possible debate or discussion on the future of Irish education. The process will last for this year. At the end of the process it should be possible to identify and document shared themes, issues and concerns which can then be use in planning the policies that will shape our education system going into the future.