2nd February 2023
The Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mark McTaggart as Northern Secretary, to take office on Monday, 13 March 2023. The vacancy arose as a result of the departure of outgoing Northern Secretary Gerry Murphy who was recently appointed as Assistant General Secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.
Mark currently serves as Assistant Northern Secretary with the INTO Northern Office, a post he has held since 2016.
A Belfast native, Mark graduated from St Mary’s teacher training college in Belfast before entering the teaching profession. As a teacher, vice-principal and ultimately principal, he has a strong background in the teaching profession.
As a union activist, Mark acted as a staff representative (INTO School Rep) for fourteen years; Chairperson of the Carrickfergus, Newtownabbey and Larne Branch and Chair of the Northern Committee in 2015/16.
On his appointment as Northern Secretary designate, Mark McTaggart said:
“I am delighted and honoured to take on the role of INTO Northern Secretary. In keeping with all trade unionists, I am acutely aware that this is a crucial time for the INTO and the whole trade union movement in the North, with the severe cuts to education budgets and our ongoing campaign to restore teachers’ salaries to pre-2010 levels. I will continue to work closely with the other education unions to bring an acceptable and just resolution to this campaign.
Gerry Murphy is to be commended for his leadership as outgoing Northern Secretary, and I would like to thank him on behalf of all members in Northern Ireland for his service and dedication to the teaching profession. On a personal note, I have valued his friendship and the support he has provided to me in the past. Gerry leaves the union in a very strong position, and we wish him well in his new role representing the trade union movement. We look forward to working with him in the future.”
Commenting on his appointment, INTO President John Driscoll said:
“Earlier this morning the Central Executive Committee ratified the appointment of Mark McTaggart as Northern Secretary, ensuring our Northern Office is led by an experienced union official as we engage in a sustained campaign of industrial action. The appointment of a seasoned union activist will ensure a smooth handover in the role, ensuring we continue to represent our members in Northern Ireland well during a turbulent period ahead. On behalf of the CEC we wish Mark all the best in his new role, working with colleagues on the Northern Committee and staff in the Northern Office.”