Political appointment raises the hackles of IT heads

A ROW has erupted at Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT) over the political appointment of the new chairman of its governing body.

Education Minister Noel Dempsey announced Fianna Fáil councillor John Gallahue, a section head in the Institute’s Built Environment departmentok), as the new chairman earlier this week.

But LIT director James McDonagh is believed to be aggrieved at the unprecedented step of appointing a staff member to the position at any institute.

He took leave from his office on Wednesday and staff are uncertain whether he will return.

The matter is also causing concern for directors of the other 12 ITs because normally the chairperson is not someone who has been involved in the day-to-day business of the college.

The issue is expected to dominate proceedings at next Tuesday’s monthly meeting of the 18-member LIT governing body.

Mr McDonagh was not available for comment last night but LIT registrar Vincent McCarthy, who is deputising for him, said: “It was a decision for the minister to make, we will work with the new chairman and support his work.”

Cllr Gallahue stood as an independent candidate in the 1997 general election but has since returned to the Fianna Fáil ranks on Limerick County Council, and is close to local junior minister, Willie O’Dea.

Despite the controversy, he said he would not be

reconsidering his position.

“There’s no question of that happening, the minister has made a decision and I have a commitment to him to raise the profile of the

Institute,” said Cllr Gallahue.

Local TD and Labour education spokesperson Jan O’Sullivan called on Mr Dempsey to get involved in the situation if the working of the college becomes affected.

A spokesperson for Mr Dempsey said that there would be no going back on the process of the appointment, but refused to comment when asked if there was any political lobbying for Mr Gallahue’s appointment.

While the appointment

of a member of staff to the chair of a governing body

is not illegal, other institute directors may now request legislation to prevent such incidents occurring again.