There were angry scenes at today's TUI conference in Ennis as protesting teachers' jostled Minister of Education and Skills Mary Coughlan.
In a heated address to delegates, TUI president Don Ryan addressed the Minister in her role as Tánaiste and blamed her and her colleagues directly for the collapse of the Irish economy. He accused her of sacrificing Irish children and grandchildren to "save the necks of those who have committed treason" against the country.
"This is totally and absolutely your fault Minister, and your Government's fault," he said. "And neither you or any of your colleagues in Government has the decency to admit your mistakes."
The Minister was greeted with total silence by TUI delegates as she took to the podium. Ms Coughlan told delegates that she was "galled" by the bank bailout but that it was a necessary action to get credit flowing in the country again.
She warned that €3 billion in cuts to public services would be required next year. She said €1 billion would come from capital spending with the remainder achieved through cuts in services or through tax increases.
"I fully accept that some of the decisions the Government has had to take over the past year created anxiety and difficulty for many of your members. People are understandably angry and find certain decisions hard to accept," Ms Coughlan said.
"Nobody wants to see less coming home in his or her pay packet at the end of the month.
"In response, I can only ask that you believe me when I say that in taking those decisions we were guided at all times by the national interest and the need to ensure we can sustain public services into the future."
She said she believed the pay agreement represented a reasonable basis to move forward. "That said, I appreciate that your members must make their own decision in this matter through your own democratic processes. I only ask that you consider the agreement and the wider context carefully in finalising your decision."
In an anticipated move, she announced that her department would be examining the issue of the moratorium on recruitment to special posts of responsibility in instances where retirement levels were affecting the day to day running of the school.
The Tánaiste also indicated that she would support the awarding of bonus points to students taking honours maths in the Leaving Certificate.
A handful of people left the room after general secretary Peter McMenamin made a plea for "pragmatic respect" for the Minister. However, there were 10 boisterous standing ovations for Mr Ryan's response, which he started with a reminder to the Minister that the last tánaiste who served as a Minister for Education, Sean T O'Kelly, only lasted 19 days in the job.
As Ms Coughlan finished her speech, a delegate wearing a mask of former Anglo Irish Bank chairman Seán Fitzpatrick walked in front of her. A number of delegates then followed her out of the hall and jostled her with "No to Nama" posters and placards.
Yesterday, Ms Coughlan was heckled during an address to the Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO).
Divisions within the teacher unions have deepened after the TUI yesterday unanimously rejected the public pay deal and vowed to act independently of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and the other teacher unions if necessary.
The TUI motion also paves the way for possible industrial action by the union. Its forthcoming ballot, which will recommend rejection of the deal to its 15,000 members, will also spell out a range of possible industrial actions – up to and including strike action.
The Association of Secondary Teachers, Ireland (ASTI) yesterday also voiced its “total and vehement opposition’’ to the public service pay and reform deal.
