Name: Con Scanlon.

Background: Born in 1953 at Moyvane, Listowel, Co Kerry. He was educated at the local national school and community college before joining the Department of Posts and Telegraphs as a trainee technician in 1970. Became active in the Communications Union of Ireland (CUI) and was president of the CUI at the time of the merger with the Post Office Workers' Union to form the CWU in 1990. Was CWU vice-president and then assistant general secretary of the CWU before taking over as general secretary on the resignation of David Begg, who became chief executive of Concern.

Marital status: He is married to Bridie and they have five children aged 12 to 23 years.

Newsworthiness: He wants to buy 5 per cent of Eircom, now that Dutch telecoms group KPN and Sweden's Telia have announced that they are selling their 35 per cent stake.