ASTI National Committees
The ASTI has a number of important committees, which are integral to the running of the ASTI and contribute to the overall policy and governance of the organisation.
Find out more about each of the committees below.
- Standing Committee
- Central Executive Council (CEC)
- Awards Committee
- Trustees
- Education Committee
- Equality Committee
- Investment Committee
- Benevolent Committee
- Community and Comprehensive Advisory Committee
- Non-Permanent Teachers Advisory Committee
- Principals' and Deputy Principals' Advisory Committee
- Safety Health and Welfare Committee
- Steering Committee
- Teaching Council Advisory Committee
- Rules Committee
- Pensions Sub-Committee
- ASTIR Editorial Board
- Regional Organisers
- Sickness Benefit Committee
- Global Solidarity Committee
- ASTI Subject Representatives 2024
Standing Committee
Standing Committee consists of 23 members and includes the President, Vice-President, Honorary Treasurer, Honorary National Organiser, President Elect (from Annual Convention to July 31st), Immediate Past President (from August 1st to next Annual Convention) and 18 regionally elected representatives. The Honorary National Organiser is elected by CEC. Standing Committee looks after the business of the union when neither CEC nor Convention is in session.
Branch elections of Standing Committee representatives shall be by secret ballots organised by branches. Candidates for election shall be nominated from amongst those who are full members for at least two years by a branch in the relevant region or by 50 members in the relevant region. Notice of nomination shall be given, on the appropriate form, to the General Secretary not later than the 7th January. The term of office for regionally elected representatives shall normally be two years and a member may be re-elected to serve for a maximum of three consecutive full terms.
| President | Donal Cremin |  |
| Immediate Past President | Geraldine O'Brien |  |
| Vice President | Padraig Curley |  |
| Honorary Treasurer | Pádraig Murphy |  |
| Honorary National Organiser | Michael McGrath |  |
| Region 1
|
Jimmy Staunton |  |
| Region 2 |
Geraldine O'Loughlin |  |
| Region 3 - Galway - Tuam - East Galway |
Richard Bell |  |
| Region 4 - Clare - Limerick North - Limerick South - Nenagh |
John Conneely |  |
| Region 5 - West Limerick - Kerry - Desmond |
Siobhán O'Donovan |  |
| Region 6 - Cork South Paddy Mulcahy - Carbery |
John Byrne |  |
| Region 7 - Fermoy - Cork North - East Cork - West Waterford - Dungarvan |
Pat Knightly |  |
| Region 8 - Waterford - New Ross - Enniscorthy - Wexford Tony Boland |
Gerard Hanlon | |
| Region 9 - Tipperary - Roscrea - Kilkenny |
Donal Coughlan |  |
| Region 10 - Kildare - Laois - Carlow |
Eamon Ryan |  |
| Region 11 - Athlone - Mullingar - Longford - Navan - Tullamore |
David Wynne | |
| Region 12 - Cavan - Monaghan - Dundalk - Drogheda Sean Higgins |
Louis Callaghan |  |
| Region 13 - Dublin South County - Dublin South 2 |
David Murphy |  |
| Region 14 |
Ray St. John |  |
| Region 15 - Dublin North West - Dublin South West |
Adrieanne Healy |  |
| Region 16 - Dublin North 1 Miriam Duggan - Dublin North Central |
Maria Markey-Greene |  |
| Region 17 - Dublin North East - Fingal |
Seamus Keane |  |
| Region 18 - Dublin South 1 - Dublin South Central |
Sinéad Corkery |  |
Central Executive Council (CEC)
The Central Executive Council (CEC) consists of over 180 members - depending on size, each branch elects one, two or three members. CEC is the governing body of the ASTI when Annual Convention is not in session. A final salary offer is referred to CEC. However, CEC is not entitled to accept such an offer without a ballot of members. CEC members also attend Annual Conventions. Members can find out the names of the CEC representatives for their branch by logging into their MyUnion account.
CEC Appeals Sub-CommitteeThe CEC Appeals Sub-Committee considers appeals against Standing Committee decisions. The members of this sub-committee are:
The CEC Appeals Sub-Committee is elected annually by CEC. |
Business of the CEC Sub-CommitteeThe Business of the CEC Sub-Committee considers motions for CEC. The members of this sub-committee are:
The Business of CEC Sub-Committee is elected annually by CEC. |
Awards Committee
The Awards Committee looks after procedures and arrangements for recognising members’ service to the ASTI.
The Awards Committee is made up of the following members:
- Gerard Hanlon
- Pat Knightly
- Geraldine O'Brien
- Donal Cremin - President
- Padraig Curley - Vice President
- Kieran Christie - General Secretary
- Jacqueline Kearns - Executive Officer services this committee
The Awards Committee is elected annually by CEC.
Trustees
Three trustees are elected at Annual Convention, with the duty of supervising the use of ASTI funds.
Trustees 2023/2025:
- Gerry Breslin
- Máire G. Ní Chiarba
- Joe Moran
Education Committee
The Education Committee discusses matters referred by Standing Committee and on ongoing educational policy developments and concerns.
The members of the ASTI Education Committee are:
- Pauline Nagle
- Ciarán Kavanagh
- Richard Egan
- Sinead Moore
- Jennifer Mannion (Walsh)
- Barry Hazel
- Éamonn Cashin
- Susan Doherty
- Donal Cremin - President
- Padraig Curley - Vice President
- Moira Leydon - AGS Education and Research Officer services this committee
Meetings of the Committee
The Education Committee has up to seven meetings per year, including two all day meetings for which substitution is provided. Reports on work of the Committee are forwarded to Standing Committee after each meeting. The Assistant General Secretary, Education / Research, provides the professional support for the work of the Committee including preparation of materials and drafting of documents. The Education Committee is elected by Convention every second year.
For more information on the ongoing work of the Education Committee, see the education section.
Equality Committee
- Marina Carlin
- Maura Greaney
- Eimear Holly
- Mary Lyndon
- Noelle Moran
- Orla O'Callaghan
- John Sims
- Philip Synnott
- Bill Longeran
- Donal Cremin - President
- Padraig Curley - Vice President
The Deputy General Secretary provides professional support to the Committee.
The Committee meets between three and seven times a year. Its main areas of activity can be divided into three main sub-headings:
- Promotion of equal of opportunities for all teachers in terms of access to employment, employment practices and working conditions in operation in the schools.
- Promotion of equality of representation within the structures of the Union.
- Promotion of equality of opportunity for pupils in terms of access to the full range of subjects and involvement in the school.
The Equality Committee is elected by Convention every second year.
Investment Committee
The Investment Committee meet a couple of times a year to review ASTI Investments and obtain professional advice when considering investment options. They also meet with the Trustees each year to discuss these decisions which are then brought to Standing Committee.
The Investment Committee is made up of the following members;
- Nora Donovan
- Tony McGennis
- Padraic McWeeney
- Noelle Moran
- Donal Cremin - President
- Padraig Curley - Vice President
- Pádraig Murphy - Honorary Treasurer
The Investment Committee is elected annually at Annual Convention
Benevolent Committee
The ASTI operates a Benevolent Scheme for members. The Benevolent Committee administers the scheme and fund.
The Benevolent Committee is made up of the following members:
- Keith Cassidy
- Sinead Corkery
- Adrian Guinan
- Donal Cremin - President
- Pádraig Murphy - Honorary Treasurer
The Benevolent Committee is elected annually by CEC.
Community and Comprehensive Advisory Committee
The Community and Comprehensive Committee advises and make recommendations to Standing Committee on issues affecting members in community and comprehensive schools and community colleges.
Current Committee members:
- Sinead Keegan
- Ian McColgan
- Peter Masterson
- Anne Marie O’Mahony
- Dermot Brennan
- Matthew O’Connor
- Jackie Wallace
- Liam McHugh
- Michael McGrath
- Donal Cremin - President
- Padraig Curley - Vice President
- Brian Burke - Industrial Relations Officer services this committee
The ASTI Community and Comprehensive Advisory Committee is comprised of ten members, elected by the ASTI membership in the Community and Comprehensive Sector. The Committee meets a maximum of five times a year.
Non-Permanent Teachers Advisory Committee
The Non-Permanent Teachers Advisory Committee meets 4 times a year. It discusses issues of concern to part-time and temporary teachers and advises Standing Committee accordingly.
- Helena Cunniffe
- Lorraine Finn
- Robert McDonnell
- Michael McGrath
- Aoife O'Hara
- Kevin Wall
- Donal Cremin - President
- Padraig Curley - Vice President
- Bernard Moynihan - Industrial Relations Officer services this committee
The Non-Permanent Teachers Advisory Committee is elected every second year by Annual Convention.
Principals' and Deputy Principals' Advisory Committee
The Principals and Deputy Principals’ Committee advises Standing Committee about relevant educational or trade union matters affecting the interests of principals and deputy principals.
The current Principals' and Deputy Principals' committee consists of the following members.
- Jimmy Staunton
- Mary Kelly
- Jean Marie Ward
- John O'Donovan
- Peter Hyde
- Sarah Greene
- Patricia Mac Manus
- Shane Hallahan
- Aaron Wolfe
- Kathleen Burke
- Liam Hassett
- Robert Browne
- Donal Cremin - President
- Padraig Curley - Vice President
- Diarmaid de Paor - Deputy General Secretary services this committee
The functions of the committee are:
- to advise Standing Committee about relevant educational or trade union matters affecting the interests of Principals and Deputy Principals;
- to prepare such reports or supporting documentation necessary to assist Standing Committee with the processing of claims on behalf of Principals and Deputy Principals;
- to advise Standing Committee about the role of Principals and Deputy Principals in relation to the implementation of specific aspects of ASTI policy;
- to advise Standing Committee about the contents of an occasional bulletin to Principals and Deputy Principals informing them about ASTI policy issues;
- participate in ASTI delegations on relevant matters locally or nationally at the request of Standing Committee.
Membership
- The ordinary members of the Committee shall be members who are Principals and Deputy Principals of secondary schools, comprehensive schools, community schools or community colleges.
- They shall be elected to represent Principals and Deputy Principals on a regional basis as follows:
One Principal and one Deputy Principal will be elected from each region
- Standing Committee Regions 1 and 2
(Donegal, Iar Thuaisceart, Sligo, West Mayo, East Mayo, Carrick-on-Shannon) - Standing Committee Regions 3 and 4
(Galway, Tuam, East Galway, Clare, Limerick South, Limerick North, Nenagh - Standing Committee Region
(Desmond, Kerry, West Limerick - Standing Committee Regions 6 and 7
(Cork South, Carbery, Fermoy, Cork North, East Cork, West Waterford, Dungarvan) - Standing Committee Regions 8 and 9
(Wexford, New Ross, Enniscorthy, Waterford, Tipperary, Kilkenny, Roscrea) - Standing Committee Regions 10 and 11
(Laois, Kildare, Carlow, Longford, Tullamore, Navan, Athlone, Mullingar) - Standing Committee Regions 12, 16 and 17
(Dundalk, Monaghan, Cavan, Drogheda, Dublin North 1, Dublin North Central, Dublin North East, Fingal) - Standing Committee Regions 13 and 1
(Dublin South 2, Dublin South County, Stillorgan, Wicklow, Dun Laoghaire, Bray) - Standing Committee Regions 15 and 18
(Dublin South West, Dublin North West, Dublin South Central, Dublin South 1)
Members will be elected at the regional meetings of Principals and Deputy Principals who are ASTI members. The electorate for each representative will be Principals and Deputy Principals from that particular area only.
Safety Health and Welfare Committee
The Safety, Health and Welfare Committee is responsible for advising Standing Committee on matters relating to the safety, health and welfare of the teaching profession.
The current members of the Safety, Health and Welfare Committee are:
- Lorraine Finn
- Paul Glynn
- Deirdre Mac Donald
- Eóin ÓhAodha
- Keith Cassidy
- Helena Cunniffe
- Donal Cremin - President
- Padraig Curley - Vice President
- Conor McDonald - ASTI Industrial Relations Officer services this committee
The Safety, Health and Welfare Committee is elected by Annual Convention every second year.
Find more information on Safety, Health and Welfare here.
Steering Committee
The Steering Committee looks after the motions for Annual Convention. This includes considering all motions and amendments from ASTI branches for the Convention Agenda
The ASTI Steering Committee consists of the following members:
- Niall Duddy
- Susie Hall
- Deirdre Mac Donald
- Máire G. Ní Chiarba
- Sean O'Neill
- Donal Cremin - President
- Padraig Curley - Vice President
- Kieran Christie - General Secretary services this committee
- Diarmaid de Paor - Deputy General Secretary services this committee
The Steering Committee is elected by Annual Convention every year.
Teaching Council Advisory Committee
The Teaching Council Advisory Committee reports to Annual Convention and January CEC and keeps Standing Committee regularly informed of the work of the Teaching Council.
- Anne Loughnane
- Eamon Dennehy
- Adrian Guinan
- Pat Knightly
- Adrieanne Healy
- Donal Cremin – President
- Padraig Curley - Vice President
- Moira Leydon – AGS – Education & Research services this committee
The Teaching Council Advisory Committee is made up of ASTI members who are nominated to or elected to the Teaching Council.
Rules Committee
The Rules Committee is made up of the following members;
- Richie Bell
- Philip Irwin
- Anne Loughnane
- Michael McGrath
- Geraldine O'Brien
- Donal Cremin - President
- Padraig Curley - Vice President
The Rules Committee are elected annually by Annual Convention.
Pensions Sub-Committee
The Pensions Sub-Committee is responsible for advising Standing Committee about matters relating to teachers' pensions.
- Daniel Howard
- Padraic McWeeney
- Noelle Moran
- Pauline Nagle
- Ger O'Donoghue
- Donal Cremin - President
- Padraig Curley - Vice President
- Breda Lynch - Industrial Relations Officer services this committee
The Pensions Sub-Committee is elected by Annual Convention every second year.
ASTIR Editorial Board
ASTIR is the ASTI's main publication. It is published five times each school year.
The ASTIR Editorial Board is made up of the ASTI Officers and two Standing Committee nominees who serve for a two-year term. The ASTIR Editorial Board meets six times each school year.
The current Editorial Board is as follows:
- Donal Cremin, President
- Padraig Curley, Vice President
- Geraldine O'Brien, Immediate Past President
- Pádraig Murphy, Honorary Treasurer
- Anne Loughnane, Standing Committee nominee
- Adrieanne Healy, Standing Committee nominee
- Kieran Christie, General Secretary
- Gemma Tuffy, Media & Communications Officer services this committee
Regional Organisers
Regional Organisers work with the Honorary National Organiser to promote and organise the ASTI in their regions.
The Regional Organisers are as follows:
- Region 1 - John Lynch
- Region 2 - Orla O’Callaghan
- Region 3 - Greg Mannion
- Region 4 - Pauline Nagle
- Region 5 - Labhras White
- Region 6 - William Browne
- Region 7 - Simon Kelliher
- Region 8 - Eoin Tallon
- Region 9 - Gerada Barry
- Region 10 - Adrian Guinan
- Region 11 - Richard Egan
- Region 12 - David Kellet
- Region 13 - Aaron O’ Mhaonaigh
- Region 14 - Conall O’Dufaigh
- Region 15 - Adrieanne Healy
- Region 16 - Annette Mooney
- Region 17 - Susie Hall
- Region 18 - Philip Irwin
Sickness Benefit Committee
The ASTI operates a Sickness Benefit Scheme and maintains a fund to finance it. The scheme is administered by a committee of seven members appointed by Convention and directly responsible to Convention. All members of the Association are automatically members of the Sickness Benefit Scheme.
The following members are on the Sickness Benefit Committee:
- Ed Byrne
- Róisín Doyle
- Gerard O’Donoghue
- David Briscoe
- Mary Lyndon
- Margaret McGagh
- Geraldine O'Brien
- Donal Cremin - President
- Padraig Curley - Vice President
Global Solidarity Committee
The following members are on the Global Solidarity Committee:
- Dearbhla Cussen
- Noelle Moran
- Conall Ó Dufaigh
- Ann Piggott
- Mary Yvonne Wall
- Donal Cremin, President
- Padraig Curley, Vice President
- Moira Leydon, AGS Education and Research Officer services this committee