"It's the second most powerful position in the union. It will give me direct access to the department," said Mr Magner, a maths and science teacher at Tullamore College.

Reared and educated in Cork, Denis joined the union when he started out as a teacher and became an active participant in the work of the organisation.

He has been a Branch Officer of the union since 1974 and has also held positions of Branch Chair, Treasurer and TUI representative on Offaly VEC.

His priorities as Vice President include:

• firm resistance to any pay cuts,
• no deterioration of conditions of service,
• the removal of moratorium on promotions and appointments,
• the restoration of parity between pay and pensions,
• protecting jobs,
• securing proper contracts.

(Source: Offaly Today)