Halpenny takes up SIPTU industrial role

Michael Halpenny has taken up his appointment as SIPTU national industrial secretary with responsibility for commercial semi-state bodies.

Halpenny has been a union official with SIPTU for 23 years and was formerly branch secretary of one of the largest branches - the Dublin Administrative Supervisory & Sales Staff Branch.

He also represented the Health Services Professional Branch, negotiating nationally for paramedical and nursing grades.

A qualified barrister, he lectures in European Law and industrial relations in the National College of Ireland and is also a member of the Company Law Review Group.

Initially he will have responsibility for Aer Rianta and subsequently other semi-state areas including CIE.