Security of tenure is equally important.  How can a teacher be expected to devote the whole of his mental energies to his scholastic duties, how can any one expect him to throw himself heart and soul into his work, if there is always lurking in his mind the haunting fear of dismissal through no fault of his own?  It is unreasonable to suppose that any human being can give of his best under these distracting conditions.  In the National Schools a system of appeal has been in force for some time, and has been carried out with fairness on the part of those in authority and to the apparent satisfaction of the teaching profession.  The dismissal order of every Roman Catholic manager has to be countersigned by the Bishop of the Diocese, and in the case of all teachers an appeal is now allowed to the Board itself, and is often utilised by Protestants.  In fact, so far as the National Schools are concerned, the tenure of the Primary teachers during good behaviour is practically secured.  Why cannot similar safeguards be introduced into the Intermediate system?  An appeal to the Board in this case is not proposed by those who know all the circumstances best; but teachers in Roman Catholic schools might have the right of appeal, in the case of Diocesan Colleges, to the Bishop of the Diocese, or in the case of schools under religious orders to the Provincials or Generals, and Protestant teachers might be allowed to appeal to the Board of Governors of their schools, or they might sign an agreement, providing for a referee, such as the No. 3 and 4 agreements under the National Board.

A register of teachers is also required.  Every existing teacher in the Intermediate Schools who satisfies the tests of efficiency should be placed upon it without delay.  As far as future appointments are concerned, qualifications might be adopted similar to those which now obtain in the Scotch Department, e.g. (a) a degree in a University, or its equivalent; (b) a diploma following professional training for one year; and (c) two probationary years in a good school.  Special terms would probably be demanded for those who, like Nuns, are precluded by their calling from attending lectures at a University.

These are some of the reforms which could, and should be introduced to make the teaching profession more efficient, more attractive for competent and clever men and women, and more of a permanent and honourable career than it has been in the past.  Once again, it is not unreasonable to ask—­How will a Dublin Parliament be able to provide the necessary funds?  An extra annual sum of roughly L300,000 is required, in addition to a further sum of about L330,000 to meet non-recurring expenditure.  These are, admittedly, moderate estimates.  The matter, anyway, is now ripe for settlement, and procrastination can only aggravate the financial difficulty.  So far as the educational problem is concerned, it is a manifest obligation upon the Nationalist Party to outline their proposals for the redress of these grievances, and to indicate the means by which they can be carried out, before a separate Legislature is set up for the people of Ireland.