33 Mr. Connor asked the Minister for Education if the Green Paper on Education will be published before the end of the year; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

80 Mr. Enright asked the Minister for Education if the Green Paper on Education will be published before the end of the year; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

89 Dr. Lee asked the Minister for Education if the Green Paper on Education will be published before the end of the year; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 33, 80 and 89 together.

While a draft of the Green Paper has been completed, the paper has still to be considered by the Government and, of course, I wish to satisfy myself about the broad thrust of the proposals. I hope to be in a position to bring the proposal to Government before the end of the year, taking account of the views of the other concerned Government Departments.

Given the significance of the Green Paper — a comprehensive discussion document designed to initiate a major debate, among the partners in education, on a framework for the development of the education system into the next century — and the other major issues currently being considered by the Government, it is unlikely that the Green Paper will be published before the end of the year. However, there will be no undue delay in publishing the paper and getting the consultative process underway as quickly as possible.