Facts and figures on the Teachers' Union of Ireland.

General secretary: Jim Dorney

Members: 13,000-plus

TUI represents: Teachers and lecturers employed in vocational schools, community colleges, community and comprehensive schools, institutes of technology, Youthreach programmes and colleges of education.

Political persuasion: Undeniably left-leaning.

Its website says it stands for an education system that is free, multi-denominational, non-selective, co-educational and publicly accountable.

Affiliated to: Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) Education International (EI) European Trade Union Committee for Education (ETUCE)

Alternatively known as: "USI for grown-ups"

President: Paddy Healy

From: Clonmel, Co Tipperary

Member since: Late 1960s

Day job: Physics lecturer in DIT

Political persuasion: "agnostic" left-wing activist

Hobbies: Enjoys music, particularly Irish traditional singing and opera. Also a strong follower of various sports - hurling, football, soccer, rugby, athletics, cricket, golf, equine sports and tennis. His mother was a great camogie player and encouraged her family to take a wide interest in all sport and ignore any bans.

What's next? After his term of office ends, he will play a leading role in the development of a mathematical model of the harp on computer in order to test improvements to the instrument.