Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I know the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, is very committed to anti-bullying measures. Even when legislation is introduced, a change of culture is required in the education system. That is best led by the Minister for Education and Skills. That initial meeting took place. The changes in many educational issues relating to gender, etc., over the past four years have been very progressive. That has been recognised by TENI and BeLonG To, and I see further gains in that.

I am saying to the Deputy, however, that lowering the age will need to be led by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. I would certainly be supportive of that. As has been acknowledged by the three speakers already, this Bill is widely recognised as one of the most progressive pieces of legislation. I am anxious to get it on to the Statute Book. We already have a built-in review. In many ways we are way ahead of ourselves in discussing amendment No. 11 to section 9. I do not know if we will discuss that amendment again later.