Dempsey ‘acting like dictator’

EDUCATION Minister Noel Dempsey is acting like a dictator in his treatment of teacher unions, the Labour Party said yesterday.

Jan O’Sullivan, the party’s education spokesperson, said it was unacceptable that the minister has rejected the invites of the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) and the Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) to address their conferences next month.

The two second-level unions had rejected Mr Dempsey’s request to hold discussions with delegates about the future of the education system during their annual meetings. The minister had described as dated the format of him delivering a speech and being responded to by union leaders.

But Ms O’Sullivan said it is not Mr Dempsey’s place to dictate to teachers the format of their conferences. “Rather than concentrate on reforms of the education system that improve the dilapidated state of many of the country’s school buildings or improve access to education for the poorest people, he much prefers machismo confrontations with teachers,” she said.

TUI general secretary Jim Dorney said last night it was the first time in his 30 years attending conferences that a minister for education has declined the union’s invite to address delegates.

Mr Dempsey has asked officials from his department to discuss with the Irish National Teachers Organisation a possible structure to facilitate a discussion with members as part of their annual congress. The union has expressed a willingness to accommodate the request, although they have asked that he would still deliver the traditional address.

Mr Dempsey yesterday rejected union contention that changes to pension arrangements would deter young people from entering the profession. From next month, all new teachers will only qualify for full pension entitlements at the age of 65, whereas previously they could do after 40 years.