asked the Minister for Education if he has sought discussions with the Association of Secondary Teachers of Ireland consequent on their recent announcement concerning the marking of the leaving and intermediate certificate examination papers.

I would refer the Deputy to the statement issued on my behalf by the Government Information Bureau on 15th June following the announcement made that day by the Association of Secondary Teachers concerning the marking of intermediate and leaving certificate examination papers. That statement contained the text of a letter which was being issued on the same day to the association and which outlined the reasons that made necessary the issue of a recent circular to school managers in regard to teachers' salaries.

The letter also stated that I expected within the next few weeks to be able to announce proposals regarding teachers' salaries and that, pending the announcement of these proposals, I intended to take no further action in the matter of teachers' salaries and allowances. In these circumstances the question of a discussion with the Association of Secondary Teachers of Ireland did not arise.

The Minister last night quite improperly suggested——

Has the Deputy a question to put?

Can the Minister tell me if I am correct in assuming that he is still a paid up, active member of the INTO and is he in receipt of any portion of his salary as a national teacher?

That has nothing to do with the question on the Order Paper.

That type of question is beneath the Deputy.

It is beneath me but it is not beneath the Minister on the evidence of his tactics last night. You try gutter with me and you will get gutter back.