Parents have moved one step closer to gaining access to school "league tables" following a decision by the outgoing Information Commissioner, Mr Kevin Murphy, to release school inspection reports.
The INTO last night criticised the decision, warning that the publication of "crude" league tables could damage the school system.
An appeal on the decision by Mr Murphy will be heard in the next two weeks.
Mr Murphy ruled in favour of a request by The Irish Times to release school inspection reports.
This effectively overturned a decision by the Minister for Education and Science, Mr Dempsey, that the reports could not be released under the Freedom of Information Act.
The principal of one of the five schools concerned is appealing the Information Commissioner's decision. The INTO said the publication of league tables in the UK has had "a damaging effect" on the whole school system.
Mr John Carr, INTO general secretary stated: "The publication of reports in this manner would allow the comparison of schools in an unfair and biased manner."
Early in 2002 The Irish Times requested the release of school reports on five named Dublin primary schools.
These reports are carried out every four or five years and involve visits to the schools by inspectors including a full examination of the work of the school.
The Department of Education and Science refused to release the reports, arguing that under Section 53 of the Education Act 1998, the Minister could refuse "access to any information which could enable the compilation of information in relation to the comparative performance of schools".
The Information Commissioner overruled the Department, after considering arguments against publication of reports based on "league table" grounds, on potential harm to the inspection system and on the issue of information given in confidence.