Fine Gael last night criticised a decision by the Minister for Education, Dr Woods, to visit Malaysia during the current ASTI dispute.
The party's education spokesman, Mr Michael Creed TD, said it showed Dr Woods was not taking the dispute seriously enough.
Dr Woods flew out last night and is representing the Government during St Patrick's Day celebrations.
Mr Creed said Dr Woods was "damaged goods" in the eyes of teachers and was no longer the right person to solve the dispute.