David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

There may be examples of that. There may be imbalances in the system but it is the Minister's job to address that. I am presenting the figures for over-sized classes, which are an obvious problem and an obvious reality. Nobody can say that we have not had cutbacks in our education system. We have had many cutbacks and the Minister will say that they were necessary, as part of our economic adjustment. I am simply making the point that the cuts make it much more difficult for us to deal with bullying.

Generally, we support the guidelines which were published recently. Sinn Féin published a Private Member's Bill on the issue earlier this year which was voted down by the Government. We believe that a legislative underpinning of the guidelines is the way to go but the Minister took a different view. That said, we are supportive of whatever measures the Minister puts in place to deal with what is a very complex issue but one with which we must grapple.