John Dennehy (left), a native of Duagh, Listowel, Co Kerry, has been appointed by Minister Micheal Martin to serve for the next seven years as secretary general of the Department of Education and Science. A former primary teacher and principal of Scoil Cholmcille, Ballybrack, Co Dublin, he replaces Dr Don Thornhill who was recently appointed chairman of the Higher Education Authority.

Dennehy was until last week assistant secretary general in the Department with responsibility for primary education, special education and school transport. He has served on many Departmental committees. As well as involvement in in-service training, he is a former chairman of the Primary In-Service Education Committee. He was secretary of the Primary Education Review Body, the report of which was published in 1990. Between 1990 and 1993, he served as a member of the NCCA. He was also co-ordinator of the Department's Central Policy Unit, with particular responsibility for the White Paper.