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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1


                 CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form
S-8) for the registration of an aggregate of 3,500,000 Ordinary Shares which
will be represented by American Depositary Receipts pertaining to the 1996
Supplemental Stock Plan of SmartForce PLC of our reports dated January 18, 2001
with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedule of SmartForce
PLC included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2000 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.



/s/ ERNST & YOUNG
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ERNST & YOUNG

Dublin, Ireland



March 30, 2001