asked the Minister for Education if he will clarify the position arising out of the apparent conflict which exists between the terms of reference of the reconstituted National Council for Educational Awards in connection with planning and co-ordinating courses in regional technical colleges and the terms of the Vocational Education Act, 1930, which establishes that vocational education committees deal directly with the Minister through the Department of Education and not through intermediaries.

I do not consider that a conflict exists between the terms of reference of the reconstituted National Council for Educational Awards in connection with planning and co-ordinating courses in regional technical colleges and the terms of the Vocational Education Act, 1930. The vocational education committees are in no way prevented from dealing directly with me through my Department if they so desire.

Is the Minister aware that so far as the regional colleges are concerned, validation for their courses is obtained through the NCEA and not his Department? Surely there is some conflict there.

There is not. The NCEA are not some remote body 2,000 miles away. They are largely composed of representatives of the VECs and the RTCs. The terms of reference of the NCEA are to plan and co-ordinate courses. The vocational education committees can deal with me if they so desire.

Will the NCEA have any legal standing?

Yes, when the legislation affecting third level education is passed.

When does the Minister expect to have that legislation?

I had hoped to be able to introduce a Bill this session. It is still possible, but it is not quite as probable as it was. As the Deputy will appreciate, a tremendous amount of strands must be drawn together in that legislation which will be rather complex and will demand a lot of concentration on the part of the people involved. It may be introduced next session, but certainly as soon as possible.

Is it nearly ready?

It is nearly ready.

Why does the Minister think it necessary to wait for the overall third level education legislation to establish the NCEA statutorily since they were used to confer degrees recently, and certificates and diplomas since they were set up on an ad hoc basis?

I do not think it necessary to wait, but the original intention was to bring the lot together in one Bill. If we wait to do that we may be delaying the NCEA and the NIHE. I have not made up my mind finally.