Minister challenged on omitting bishops

The Minister for Education and Science al Martin was yesterday urged has been asked to explain why he did not renominate the local Catholic and Church of Ireland bishops to the governing body of UCC. They are the Bishop of Cork and Ross, Dr John Buckley, and the Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, Bishop Roy A. Warke.

The challenge to Mr al Martin came from the Cork North Central Fine Gael TD, Mr Bernard Allen. He said he would be tabling a Dail question on the matter.

"I can't speak for the bishops, but I know that Minister Martin's decision has caused much hurt and disquiet among many people within both churches," said Mr Allen, a former UCC employee and member of its governing body.

Bishop Warke said he recognised that it was within the Minister's prerogative to nominate whomever he chose to the governing body, and there was no obligation to appoint a church representative.

"I will certainly miss it as I very much enjoyed my 10 years on the board."

A spokesman said Bishop Buckley respected Mr Martin's decision, and pointed out that the Catholic Church would still have a representative - the Tipperary County Council nominee, the Archbishop of Cashel and Emly, Dr Dermot Clifford.

A spokesman for Mr Martin said the changes were in line with provisions introduced in the Universities Bill by the last Minister for Education, Ms Niamh Bhreathnach, to ensure representation from business and a better gender balance.

Mr Martin's three nominees reflected this in that Mr Humphrey Murphy is a company director, Mr Dermot O'Mahoney is a financial consultant, while Ms Deirdre Forde is a housewife and mature student at Cork Institute of Technology, he added.