Teacher's Pet

An insider's guide to education

A sort of uneasy truce has developed between the Minister and the university presidents. Both sides are watching each other. The university presidents were poised to criticise Hanafin after the Estimates but, sensibly, they held off - on the basis that good news was coming further down the tracks, as the PR professionals would put it.

So, who deserves credit for the new all-singing, all-dancing TUI? And has skilful press officer Conor Griffin at last been let off the leash by cautious TUI boss Jim Dorney? Just some of the questions being asked by the teacher unions.

The Bernadistas or the Bernadine Vista Social Club, as they are known, are telling hacks that they will fight all the way to overturn the decision to appoint de Paor. The Bernadistas thought the appointment was in the bag, but one supposed supporter did not back her through the selection process.

All this talk of a challenge seems a mite fanciful. De Paor, a distinguished ex-RTÉ producer, got the job fair and square. Expect a rush to the Four Courts if there is any attempt made to change the result.

Got any education gossip? E-mail us, in confidence, at teacherspet@irish-times.ie