asked the Minister for Education the steps, if any, being taken to obtain recognition of Irish teachers qualifications abroad.

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that ongoing discussions are in train between the Irish and British authorities regarding educational matters. The question of mutual recognition of teacher qualifications is high on the list of priority topics and negotiations are currently taking place with a view to resolving the differences between the relevant jurisdictions in this area.

I am not in a position to say when a resolution of the problem may emerge but I wish to assure him the matter is being actively pursued.

At EC level discussions are proceeding on a proposal for a Council directive on a general system for the recognition of higher education diplomas. There is still no agreement about the scope of the directive and to which professions it will apply.

I am glad to hear the Minister attaches some importance to this question which I believe is extremely urgent for a great many teachers who will be unemployed in the next few years. Is she aware that the State Superintendent of Public Instruction in California has said that California will need 90,000 teachers in the next five years? However, Irish teachers are not recognised for teaching in State schools in California. This strikes me as needing urgent attention. Secondly, I would like to inquire about the progress made towards gaining recognition abroad for the Higher Diploma in Education and, if progress is being made, will the Minister immediately enter into discussions with the universities to examine what is the problem regarding the Higher Diploma in Education and its recognition abroad?

With regard to the first supplementary, I am not aware of what the State superintendent in California said. However, if the Deputy says he said that teachers are needed but that Irish teachers' qualifications are not recognised I take that as fact.

I did not say that the Irish teachers were not qualified.

The Minister, without interruption.

The Deputy stated what the State superintendent in California said, so I presume she has knowledge of his activities.

On a point of information the State superintendent——

The Deputy asked a question and I ask her to allow the Minister to complete her answer. If she has a further supplementary I will facilitate her.

The Deputy asked me if I was aware of what the State superintendent in California said. I answer here by saying that I am not so aware.

Answer the question and do not waste time.

Please, Deputy Bruton.

I am not aware of what the State superintendent in California said but I accept that what the Deputy is saying in that regard is correct.

The Deputy's other question related to progress at EC level on the recognition of the higher education diploma. Discussions are proceeding on a proposal for a Council directive at EC level on a general system for the recognition of higher education diplomas. There is still no agreement about the scope of the directive and to which profession it will apply.

We heard all that.

Why can the Minister not answer the question?

Please, Deputy Bruton.

Deputy Bruton came in at 3.25 p.m. and proceeded to bully. Will he allow me to answer the question?

The Minister has wasted time for the past hour. There is no point waiting here.

Please, Deputy Bruton.

I was listening to the Minister on the monitor. She has deliberately wasted time.

She did not want to get to Question No. 15.

She is deliberately wasting time.

The Deputy lost his chance when he was in Government.

The time has expired for dealing with ordinary questions.

I have not finished answering the question.

The time has now come to deal with Priority Questions.

You should keep those girls under control, a Cheann Comhairle.

On a point of information what I said was that according to the State superintendent in California that State will need 90,000 teachers during the next five years. It is a fact that Irish teachers are not recognised in California.

I did not have the benefit of going to California like Deputy Hussey.

Do not be silly.