Dempsey decides to snub ASTI and TUI annual conferences

EDUCATION Minister Noel Dempsey will not attend the annual conference of two of the three teachers’ unions next month, it emerged last night.

It appears likely the minister will, however, attend the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) annual congress in Tralee.

His decision not to address the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) and the Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) conferences could deepen resentment of him from the teaching profession, as well as create possible divisions between unions.

In a letter delivered to the two second-level unions, Mr Dempsey said he would not attend the ASTI and TUI gatherings in Killarney and Galway, respectively.

It has been a tradition for many decades for the Education Minister of the day to address conference delegates, with union leaders normally responding.

ASTI acting general secretary John White said he regretted the minister was forfeiting the opportunity to address members on important education issues.

“It would be a great pity if the minister’s decision is seen as a slight on teachers, and if the relationship between teachers and the minister is damaged as a result of the decision,” he said.

The TUI’s general secretary Jim Dorney said: “We invited the minister to attend our conference in the traditional manner.

However, the minister sought to alter the traditional arrangement of the minister’s speech.

“The autonomy of TUI as a union is vital and any outside agency changing arrangements would have compromised its independence.”

The ASTI and TUI recently rejected Mr Dempsey’s proposal to use their conferences for a discussion with their members on the future of the Irish education system. They told him that they could not change the format of their annual conferences.

The INTO advised the minister they were willing to consider his request to hold a discussion with delegates at their four-day meeting.

However, Mr Dempsey’s non-appearance at the two second level unions’ conferences could bring relations between the minister and unions to an all-time low.