asked the Minister for Education if she will agree to meet the teachers' unions for talks in an effort to resolve the education impasse.

I have not received any formal request from the teachers' unions for talks. However, machinery exists in the Teachers' Conciliation Council for discussion of teachers' claims. I am perfectly willing to arrange to have officials meet the unions in the council and I would hope that it would be possible to reach agreement on a package which would include the 25th round of pay increases and other pay related matters, due account being taken of the financial constraints on the Exchequer.

The Minister is aware — so there is no point in asking the question — that the public service committee have no authority to negotiate or discuss an award to an individual union already adjudicated upon.

The Deputy did not listen to the answer.

I am asking the Minister — excuse me, Minister——

The Deputy did not listen to the answer. She did not hear it.

Is it not amazing——

A Cheann Comhairle——

——that when I say something that she does not like, she gets all flippery and prickly. I am not allowed to say anything to her.

Very touchy.

I am only asking the Deputy not to make a fool of herself.

Would the Minister not feel——

Question Time is over.

It is the Minister's responsibility to meet the teachers' unions.

Question Time is over.

She caused a row.

I am trying to save the Deputy from herself.

It is the Minister's disastrous mishandling that caused this situation in the first instance.

I call Item 17, Deputy Durkan.

We have explained that on many an occasion.

The Minister will not meet the teachers' unions, that is the reply from her.

Nonsense.

Deputy O'Rourke is being disorderly.

Arrogance bordering on intolerance.

She will not meet the teachers' unions. There is no prospect of that.

Deputy O'Rourke, we are on the next item.

I regret that the Minister is being obdurate with the unions.

You are making a fool of yourself.

You are very much yourself. You will not meet the teachers' unions.