The Irish government has been warned not to make any alterations to the Croke Park agreement, which would see changes in the country's education system.

President of the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) Jack Keane revealed concerns about the future of the Croke Park deal, which protects the pay and employment conditions of school staff.

Speaking at the union's conference earlier this week, he said: "A deal is a deal. In the event of any attempt by your government to deviate from its terms we absolutely reserve the right to withdraw from all aspects of the agreement."

Earlier this month, Labour Relations Commission chief executive Kieran Mulvey advised those in the public sector that they should work longer hours if they wanted to maintain their salaries, due to the government's budget cuts.

However, Mr Keane expressed the difficulty of teachers worked extra hours, noting that they already put in time covering extracurricular activities.

Written by Donal Walsh 

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