Labour TD and Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn, has announced his resignation from as Education Minister today. The 68 year old Labour TD for Dublin South-East has said he will resign his posts before the Labour Party reshuffle next week. His resignation comes as speculation was mounting within the party as potential new Labour leader Joan Burton had said she would not reappoint the TD if she was elected.
The Minister admitted in a press conference today that his departure from Cabinet is coming ‘sooner than he might have liked’.
Teachers union, the ASTI, commented that ‘ the ASTI has had a long relationship with Mr. Quinn, including during his role as opposition spokesperson on education and as Minister for Education & Skills. It is unfortunate that his period as Minister came at a time of unprecedented financial crisis in Ireland which gravely impacted on investment in education.‘

The Minister has been instrumental in huge reforms within the education system in the last 3 years, however as commented in the Irish Times today, “His dreams of reforming the education system have evaporated in the short space of time since Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore announced he was stepping down as Labour Party leader.”

Do you think it was time for Minister to go? Please leave a comment.

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