Ennis diary: Unexpected issues can often arise on the last day of a teachers' conference. But the activities of a tom-cat seldom feature in TUI delegates' questions. Yesterday, the tom-cat took a starring role, after executive committee member, Ms Marie Humphries, complained about the tone of the after -dinner speeches the previous night, writes Alison Healy.
The gala dinner had heard some questionable jokes including one that involved a very amorous tom-cat and his two "increments".
Had some of the after-dinner speakers been in any of the delegates' classes, they may have faced suspension, but the complaint was dismissed during question time, despite Ms Humphries' assertion that it was an emergency situation.
The TUI dinner also raised the ire of Mr Sean Connolly of Dublin City Post Primary branch. He complained that the TUI executive and guests were allowed to avail of a reception and free bar before and after the dinner, while the poor delegates slummed it downstairs and coughed up for their own drinks.
Yesterday was a day for tying up loose ends at the TUI congress. It began as a conference in search of an issue when teachers arrived in Ennis hungry for action. But the pay issue had been put to bed and the supervision and substitution agreement was in place so what would they talk about? Quite a lot, as it happened. The pay issue might have been put to bed, but it got up and did a bit of frantic sleepwalking during the congress. So much so, that members almost voted to lodge a new pay claim.
The TUI president and general secretary emitted an air of quiet satisfaction when the benchmarking and supervision issues were raised but some members tried to snatch the laurels from them by calling for mass resignations over the union's decision to enter into the benchmarking process without a ballot. Meanwhile, the wheels were coming off the Ferrari of the science world - the new Junior Certificate Science syllabus. Institutes of Technology were also in crisis. Budget cutbacks meant that even the provision of basic materials for practical demonstrations was being threatened.
And all this was unfolding as the Minister for Education, Mr Dempsey, straightened his tie and made his final of three addresses to the teachers' conferences. Having braved the ASTI's "courteous reception" and been on the receiving end of booing and slow handclapping from the INTO, he must have hoped to freewheel home with the TUI.
But TUI members had different ideas, as they illustrated when they gave their president a standing ovation, after he tackled the Minister on the lack of funding. The Minister, on the other hand, got a polite, if restrained, round of applause and could be seen taking copious notes as Mr Derek Dunne spoke.
Throughout the conference, the delegates continuously referred to the importance of MacGyver for teachers. Some of us recalled the 1980s TV action hero who regularly saved the world with a fountain pen and some sticky tape. What could he offer teachers? But it later transpired that they were talking about the McIver report which recommended the upgrading of the further education sector.
The Minister received the report before Easter but still has not launched it. Perhaps it is a job for MacGyver after all. He might stand a better chance of saving the education system with the clever use of a lunchbox, a roll of twine and a stick of chalk.