Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will follow on with regard to the teaching of factual information on sexual education and relationships. I take the point that a huge part of it is about our relationships with one another, as well as the biology of it. I come from a teaching background and many teachers are uncomfortable with it, as are many adults who are not teachers. It can be a difficult topic for parents to discuss with their own children. Proper training in teacher training colleges, leadership within the school and an open dialogue among staff makes it much easier for teachers. Continuous professional development, CPD, courses are critical. They exist for every other subject and this should not be excluded.

I was struck by Rape Crisis Network Ireland's explanation that four Departments and at least six strategies and policies have a role in shaping sexual health education. Notwithstanding all the consultation alluded to - with young people involved in the structure, as well as all the different key agencies - should the lead be taken by one Department? I refer to making sure that we have a comprehensive curriculum for RSE. How can we also get around the teaching of factual sex education despite the ethos of the school? Religion could be a separate class - where the ethos of the school, whatever it is, could be taught - but sex education would involve the facts and giving young people all the information they need on all of the issues. I open that up to anyone who wants to deal with it.