The State's 60,000 teachers could soon be represented by a single union, teachers' leaders have indicated.
John White, Asti general secretary
Teachers are represented by the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (Asti), the Teachers' Union of Ireland (TUI) and the Irish National Teachers' Organisation.
The unions have submitted a combined submission on so-called benchmarking for pay and conditions this year, a move seen as significant. However, they have co-operated on many other issues up to now.
Asti general secretary John White told ireland.comhe believed there would be moves over the next few years to formalise the relationships already in place between the unions.
"Our position is that there is a very high degree of co-operation at the moment. Before every major discussion with the Department of Education, the three teachers' unions meet and formulate a joint position."
The unions met with the Department last week to discuss the evaluation of school inspection reports, he said.
"We are paid a common salary and, basically, we negotiate our terms and conditions together at the teachers' conciliation council. The only issue is whether you formalise that and structure it better. I have no doubt that over the next number of years there will be discussions on formalising what is already a high degree of co-operation," Mr White added.
TUI general secretary Jim Dorney also suggested the Irish Federation of University Teachers (IFUT) could become part of a larger body to give teachers a greater voice.
He was speaking on RTÉ Radio 1's Morning Irelandprogramme following a vote by the Asti earlier this week to return to the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. This clears the way for more formal links with the other teacher unions.
Mr Dorney added: "Nobody seems to have mentioned, there are two unions at third level, us and IFUT and I think there's a possibility then we should talk to them as well. Talking on behalf of 60,000 teachers gives a really strong voice to the teachers."
He said there had been repetitions in efforts by unions to achieve particular goals and insisted any differences between the unions were now in the past.
Additional reporting: PA