Wrixon decision expected

Minister for Education Mary Hanafin is expected to decide today on a controversial five-year extension for UCC president Prof Gerry Wrixon.

Discussions between the department and senior officials in the Department of Finance have taken place in recent days.

These have centred on the possible knock-on effects of any possible extension across the public service. It is thought officials from the office of the Attorney General have also been involved in the discussions. Already, some senior academics at UCC have signalled they will also seek an extension of service if Prof Wrixon secures five extra years.

Prof Wrixon is one of the most controversial figures in Irish education.

His management style is deeply resented by many senior figures at UCC. There is also concern that his "pro-business" style has undermined traditional academic freedoms. But Prof Wrixon's reforming zeal has been lavishly praised by Tánaiste Mary Harney.

Earlier this year Ms Hanafin told The Irish Times she would have no problem with an extension for Prof Wrixon. The Higher Education Authority has recommended an extension for the professor. But neither Ms Hanafin nor Minister for Finance Brian Cowen will sign off on the issue until the full legal implications are sorted out. The fact that Prof Wrixon will be 65 tomorrow has given renewed urgency to the issue.

Last year in an interview in The Irish Times, Prof Wrixon accused his critics of damaging the reputation of the university and engaging in highly personalised attacks on him.

He accused some staff members of engaging in a campaign against him because of his exacting demands in UCC. "If you are going to insist on people upping their game, there will be people who will take it all personally," he said.

Asked about his policies he said: "I am pro-business if that means we have to insist on excellence in the way we run our affairs, if we insist on excellence in teaching and learning, if we are conscious of giving value for money . . . and if we are conscious that we are supported by the taxpayer."

Although successful in respect of research funding, the Wrixon era at UCC has been marked by bitter in-fighting.