ONE OF THE top jobs in Irish education, the generals secretaryship of the Association for the Management of Catholic Secondary Schools, falls vacant later this year with the retirement of Brother Declan Duffy.

This is the second time the AMCSS has tried to find a successor to Duffy, who has steered the organisation since 1977. It failed last year to find a suitable candidate equipped with the curious mix of qualities to take over the running of the organisation.

The right person will be a Catholic, though not necessarily a member of the religious; he or she will need the skills to negotiate with unions and the Department, as well as maintaining the dominance of Catholic education in an era of change. The successful candidate will also represent the interest of Protestant schools through the Joint Managerial Body.

One name linked to the post, Frank Murray, is not available, having moved from the Association of Community and Comprehensive Schools to the new commission set up by the Minister to oversee the amalgamation of schools and rationalise the VEC system.