Stony silence greets minister at TUI conference

The Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn was greeted with a stony silence as he addressed the Teachers Union of Ireland's annual conference in Galway.

Mr Quinn took to the podium as a handful of delegates held up signs of opposition to the Croke Park 2 proposals.

Minister Quinn told delegates that he awaits the outcome of other unions' ballots on the new deal with interest.

He was heckled as he called for teachers to work with the Government to build a better economy.

In contrast, there was a rapturous response to the TUI President Gerry Craughwell's response to the Minister.

#TUI president Gerry craughwell receives 2 standing ovations so far for scathing speech criticising govt policy on cutting pay/services

— Ingrid Miley (@ingridmileyRTE) April 3, 2013

He said economic recovery is in jeopardy without investment in education.

And he had this to say about the Croke Park 2 proposals: "Minister I know that you are waiting on the outcome of the ballot on the public service agreement with interest.

"So are we minister, the members of the TUI. We have given leadership on this, we've said 'No', and we hope everybody else says the same."

The union had earlier voted overwhelmingly in favour of an emergency motion instructing its Executive Committee to withdraw from Croke Park 1 - if Croke Park 2 is imposed on its members.

The motion also calls for a ballot on strike action if the new deal is implemented and for a rally of all public sector workers against the proposals.