Senator Joe O'Toole has not yet formally declared his intention to retire as general secretary of the Irish National Teachers' Organisation, but the succession race has already begun.
Five candidates have so far declared their intentions.
Mr John Carr, general treasurer and deputy general secretary of the union, was principal of Belgrove Junior Boys' School before he joined the INTO as a fulltime official. His main concerns are securing improved salaries, allowances and pension rights.
Ms Catherine Byrne was appointed the first female official of the INTO in 1981, as press officer and then equality officer. Now assistant general secretary, she is determined if elected that the slogan of the 132nd INTO congress, "Teaching is a vital community service", will receive due recognition.
Ms Sheila Nunan is a member of the central executive committee and principal of St Kieran's School for Travellers in Bray, Co Wicklow. "I think that the leadership has been good but the way we are doing our business needs to be revitalised," she says.
Mr Noel Ward, a classroom teacher in Scoil Maelruan in Tallaght and founding secretary of Tallaght branch of the INTO, first attended an INTO congress as a student representative of USI in 1975. He believes the union should professionalise its service. His wife Joan has just been elected INTO vice-president.
Mr Tom O'Sullivan has been on the union executive for 11 years, representing Kerry and Limerick. He is principal of a six-teacher school in Limerick city. The top issue is salary, he says, but conditions of employment and educational disadvantage also concern him.