Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Much of today's conversation has been about pupils and students. I fully agree they have to be the priority. From anecdotal evidence, teachers are bullied and the students who see it happening feel that if the staff are doing it, they can also do it. It happens in the school community. Is this an issue for the Department of Education? Is it a matter for the patrons of the school?

Who is responsible for that if there is anecdotal or clear evidence that this is happening within the school? Senator Dolan spoke about the perfect school community. We all want the perfect school community but what if it is not there because of the teachers or principal and there is anecdotal evidence of bullying? I am not sure if the chief inspector or the deputy chief inspector is responsible for this area. This is happening in different schools across the country. It happens in every workplace. I have anecdotal evidence and I have no doubt other people see this happening or hear about it. I can say it here under privilege but there are not many platforms where I can raise this issue because it is very difficult to raise it but it is happening out there. The pupils see it happening on a daily basis and my fear is that if they see that teachers are bullying each other, they will think "why can't I do it against my fellow pupils?"