What do you think of the teacher conferences? In principle, I believe they are a fine idea. In practice, of course, they don't always deliver on their promise.

Nonetheless, I would favour their retention because of the face-to-face communication they offer to delegates. They provide a human touch which is increasingly under threat as business imposes itself on education.

Do you pay attention to what is said there?

Yes - through newspaper reports. The larger issues show, I believe, the way teachers perceive themselves and their job in relation to the wider society. In that sense, they can reveal much about ideology and the general drift of society as seen through the eyes of a uniquely important group.

Do you think they good or bad for the public image of teachers?

Both, I suppose. They're good in that they get significant media coverage and, as such, show teachers to be an important group in society. They're arguably bad, however, if the image of teachers is regularly shown to be in conflict with the dominant ideology. Teachers are then deemed 'whingers'.

Does the format need to be changed?

Probably, but I'm not close enough to the conferences to suggest how. Transparency and accountability should, of course, be maximised even though the Government and business merely pay lip service to the notion.

Eddie Holt is a lecturer in the School of Communications, DCU, and an Irish Times columnist.