School teachers could soon be represented by one trade union body instead of three.
The leaders of the country's three teachers' unions have told RTÉ News that they believe there will be movements towards unity over the next few years. Two unions say coming together is inevitable.
Not since the 1980s have the unions been so united. In what is seen as a landmark development, they have made a combined benchmarking submission this year.
Earlier this week, all three unions met Department of Education officials to discuss school inspection reports.
The INTO, the ASTI and the TUI, if brought under one umbrella organisation, would represent more than 60,000 teachers.
