Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Yes. In this House legitimate chastisement is verbal and quietly spoken. We do not want to set a bad example. Young people and small people will perceive our good example as the proper way to resolve disputes.

I recall the great Dr. Owen Sheehy-Skeffington - in a way, I am his successor - who came to the Seanad at a time when abuse, bullying and beating of children was acceptable and we had a Tom Brown's School Days tradition. Dr. Sheehy-Skeffington, Dr. Cyril Daly and others campaigned against the abuse, and they were magnificent people to do so. It is said that on one occasion a person who held the more traditional view in this House said he had been beaten in school and it had not done him any harm, to which Dr. Sheehy-Skeffington wittily replied, "I am inclined to put the question: in that case, what did do the harm?" However, he made a serious point.

Sweden banned all legitimate chastisement, as the Minister described it, at a very early stage. I think it is good for children to build up their confidence. I wish to recognise here today that Senator John Boland, the then Minister, abolished corporal punishment in schools, a landmark decision. I think that the Taoiseach at the time was Mr. Liam Cosgrave. I recall old editions of teacher magazines containing an advertisement promoting a new reverse-throttle cane with the line "Guaranteed to subdue the toughest eight year old." That was the culture at the time.

We could not possibly think that way now. How do we advance the cause? We have made great progress. I favour stricter control of the chastisement the Minister mentioned. The duties of parents and all those who have custody and care of children are paramount because many of the problems arise from the bad example adults give to children. As the Minister said, bullying can have a devastating effect on children and young people. The publication of anti-bullying procedures and the training sessions being provided for parents are important steps towards putting an end to it. The Minister's off-script remark about passive standby witnesses was most important. Unhappy incidents such as when a parent and a child have a difficulty in a supermarket and the child is slapped cause huge distress for most adults and certainly children. There is the old Irish language phrase, mol on óige agus tiocfaidh sí. Bad examples and traumatic experiences live on. Is it possible to devolve more powers in schools to children in order that they form little groups and have their own friends to give them positive protection? One of the successes at third level is devolving responsibility for activities to students in order that they can form friendships. Having good friends is probably the best protection. Parents will probably inquire of their children if there is anybody in their class or school who is not nice and I gather there is much concealed behaviour on the part of children who are bullied. They know it is going on, but they do not know what to do. If children have positive friendships with others with whom they get on well, they can bring it to the notice of the authorities. What children do together to promote friendships reduces bullying through school initiatives and sports clubs. The GAA is very strong in dealing with the issue. Professor Mona O'Moore, the well known expert, who gave me some notes on the issue said things like the new black card for persistent cynical behaviour in the sports arena could be transferred to schools.