Minister unhappy with teachers' decision to picket training centres

The Education Minister Jan O’Sullivan has expressed her disappointment at the decision of teachers’ unions to picket centres where teachers will get Junior Cycle training.

Ms O’Sullivan has been addressing the Teachers Union of Ireland conference in Wexford, and after not getting an invitation to the ASTI conference in Killarney yesterday, the minister thanked the TUI for her invitation to their annual gathering.

There was a polite welcome for the Education Minister which didn’t sour when she said she was unhappy that both unions will mount pickets outside training centres for English teachers.

Ms O'Sullivan said: "I think that your decision to prevent your members accessing professional learning, sits uneasily with the real commitment that I know you have to an openness to knowledge and learning.

"I am ready and willing to engage with you on the range and extent of the resources needed to implement the Travers proposals."

The Minister and unions have said they are willing to continue talks on the most recent proposals from Dr Pauric Travers.

However, TUI President Gerry Quinn says the Minister cannot proceed without their support.

He said: " Remove the pre-conditions for talks and engage with us in order to bring about a resolution.

"You cannot proceed without us anyway and our offer to talk is sincere as you know, and we will engage constructively to try and resolve the impasse."