ASTI - Ireland's main second level teachers union

The Teaching Council was established on March 1st 2006. The purpose of the Teaching Council, as set out by the Teaching Council Act 2001, is to

• Regulate the teaching profession and the professional conduct of teachers
• Establish and promote the maintenance and improvement of standards of 
• programmes of teacher education and training 
• teaching, knowledge, skill and competence of teachers
• professional conduct of teachers
• Promote the continuing education and training and professional development of teachers.

The Teaching Council is an autonomous, independent body designed to oversee the self regulation of the teaching profession. However, in performing its functions, the Council must implement the Minister’s policies relating to teacher education and training, probation, qualification, professional conduct and standards of teaching. In advising the Minister it must have regard to the implications of its advice for the resources that are available and to the practical implementation of any advice.

To view a new Information Sheet from the Teaching Council about their services please click here.

Membership of Teaching Council

The Teaching Council consists of 37 members. Registered teachers are represented by 22 members as follows:

11 members at primary level, nine of whom have been elected by registered primary teachers and two INTO nominees.

• Seán Rowley
• Maree O'Connell
• Micheál Ó Gríofa
• Micheál Kilcrann
• Dympna Mulkerrins
• Milo Walsh
• Carmel Bradwell
• Christy Carroll
• Alice O'Connell
• Anne McElduff 
• Gerry Malone

11 members at post-primary level, seven of whom have been elected by registered by post-primary teachers, two ASTI nominees, and two TUI nominees.

• Noel Buckley
• Lily Cronin
• Susie Hall
• Christopher Maginn
• Fergal McCarthy
• Pat McQuaile
• Bernadine O’Sullivan
• Jack Keane (ASTI nominee)
• Elaine Devlin (ASTI nominee)
• Tim O’Meara (TUI nominee)
• Vivienne MacSweeney (TUI nominee)

The other 15 members have been nominated by:

• Institutions involved in teacher education 
  • Dr Peadar Cremin (Colleges of Education)
  • Sr Darina Hosey (Colleges of Education) 
  • Dr Jim Gleeson (Universities and named Third Level Colleges)
  • Professor Sheelagh Drudy (Universities and named Third Level Colleges)
• Dr Anne O'Gara (Colleges of Education)
• Dr Pauric Travers (Colleges of Education)
• Dr Jim Gleeson (Universities & Named Third Level Colleges)
• Prof. Kathy Hall  (Universities & Named Third Level Colleges)

Recognised school management organisations

• Eileen Flynn (Primary - Catholic Primary Schools  Management Association [CPMSA])
• Antoinette Buggle  (Primary – National Association of Boards of Management in Special Education [NABMSE])
• Ciarán Flynn (Post-primary - Association of Community and Comprehensive Schools [ACCS])
• Jerry Cronin (Post-primary - Joint Management Board [JMB])

• National parents’ associations
  o Anita McCann (Primary)
  o Eleanor Petrie (Post-Primary)

• The Minister for Education and Science (including one Irish Business and Employers Confederation nominee and one Irish Congress of Trade Unions nominee)

• Oliver Donohoe (ICTU)
• Dr Kevin Marshall (IBEC)
• Emer Egan
• Dr Pádraig Hogan
• Kieran O'Driscoll

For more information visit www.teachingcouncil.ie.