Death of Patrick Hillery
INTO Press Release: Statement by John Carr, General Secretary, Irish National Teachers’ Organisation on the death of former President Paddy Hillery
April 2008The General Secretary of the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation, John Carr, paid tribute to former President Paddy Hillery and extended the sympathy of the INTO to his family.
He described Paddy Hillery as a visionary and innovative Minister for Education in the 1960s whose work laid the foundation for much of the subsequent improvement in the education system.
During Paddy Hillery’s time in the Department of Education (1959 – 1965) Ireland took part in the Education Investment Programme which led to a comprehensive study of education in Ireland. Under the direction of Patrick Lynch a report “Investment in Education” was produced which identified key challenges for the system. This report, produced in 1965, is still seen as having a major influence on the future direction of Irish education.
“However,” said Carr, “there is no doubt that before the publication of that report, Paddy Hillery was planning for the extension of equality of opportunity, the establishment of the regional colleges and the creation of comprehensive schools at second level.” He said Hillery’s public recognition of the extent of inequality in the education system was a welcome change to the pretence that had preceded his time in office.
Mr Carr said, “During his term in office Paddy Hillery made sure that rhetoric would be turned into reality. The policies he proposed laid the foundation for at least a decade of educational reform, the like of which we have not seen since.”
“Paddy Hillery had superb political skills which he utilised in the early 1960s to end the long running dispute in a school in Ballina, Co Mayo. His sensitive handling of that difficult issue not alone brought about a resolution but ensured increased numbers of promotional posts for primary teachers.”
I extend the sympathy of all INTO members to his wife Maeve and to the members of his family.
Ends.