The venues, the issues, the movers, the shakers - Education Editor Seán Flynn's guide to the Easter conferences.

Irish National Teachers' Organisation

25,000 members in the Republic. 5,000 in Northern Ireland.

Where: Corrib Great Southern Hotel - began yesterday, ends tomorrow.

The INTO - a quick recap: In terms of power and influence, the INTO is now operating at a different level from the other teacher unions. Hugely respected by senior officials and Minister for Education Mary Hanafin.

The union is a major force for education reform on issues such as disadvantage, literacy and class size. But has also delivered sizeable pay increases for members.

Main players: General secretary, John Carr may lack the swashbuckling, larger-than-life demeanour of his predecessor, Joe O'Toole. But, whisper it, he has been, arguably, even more successful. Carr has been assisted by an energetic 16-member executive, which focuses on policy, not personality.

The union has achieved minor miracles on school buildings and special needs. Resources for both, while still inadequate, have increased massively thanks to INTO campaigning. Carr also deserves credit for choosing Peter Mullan as his press officer. By common consent, Mullan is the best in the business.

End of term report: Things have rarely been better for the INTO. Hefty benchmarking increases have lifted the mood of the membership. The union leadership enjoys enviable access to the corridors of power. And Asti's problems mean the INTO often has a clear run to exert its influence.

Main agenda items: Class size, education disadvantage and special needs will dominate. The largest number of motions is on special needs, reflecting the real concerns of members on this issue.

Teachers' Union of Ireland

13,200 members, 9,500 second level, about 3,500 third- level

Where? Burlington Hotel, Dublin, today until Thursday.

The TUI - a quick recap: Left-leaning union, famously known as "USI for grown-ups". Represents both teachers and university lecturers.

Main players? Wily general secretary Jim Dorney - in office since 1982 - still dominates the union. Very successful at keeping the union's radical fringe in check.

Has enjoyed a better than expected cohabitation with left-wing union president Paddy Healy, himself a star turn this year.

Otherwise, education officer, John MacGabhann is very much the rising star.

End of term report: This has been a good year for the TUI. In the past it was accused of punching below its weight.

The union set the agenda on the discipline issue. A very successful TUI conference on the issue this year - organised by assistant general secretary Declan Glynn - was the catalyst for action. Within weeks, Mary Hanafin established the new task force on discipline. TUI members - notably Joan Sheehan - also performed spectacularly well in teaching council elections.

Main agenda items? Discipline will again dominate. The fresh round of talks on benchmarking will also loom large. Performance-related pay will be bitterly opposed. The union wants benchmarking to remain separate from regular pay increases.

The Association of Secondary Teachers, Ireland 17,000 members

Where: Silver Springs Hotel, Cork, today until Thursday.

Asti - a quick recap: Still in recovery mode after bruising pay campaign of four years ago. The leadership and the membership have moved on from those difficult times. But, somewhat unfairly, a poor image of the union persists in influential circles in the Department of Education - and around Leinster House.

Main players: John White, the acting general secretary, is set to succeed Charlie Lennon on a permanent basis once the conference is over. White has done a superb job in calming the union down. He has managed a good working relationship with union president, Susie Hall, who has done much to restore the union's battered public image.

The other main player is executive member Bernard Lynch, a permanent thorn in the side of the leadership. He took Asti to the High Court four years ago after he was accused of disrupting executive meetings and subsequently ejected. Asti agreed to pay his legal fees of €76,000.

End of term report: Asti is treading water until White is appointed and the union begins to rebuild. There is much to be done.

Main agenda items: Discipline, staffing, health and safety in schools and Leaving Cert reform are among the major issues.

Expect bitter divisions when a motion backing a return to Ictu is discussed. The leadership would love to see Asti back in the fold. But Lynch and others are bitterly opposed.