Tom Clonan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

This was back in the 1980s when Ireland had a very homogenous population. I want to compliment the witnesses for all the work they have done on issues of race, ethnicity and all of the sensitivities in that area because it is something Ireland really has to get to grips with. No pressure on you guys, but you are the demographic that will have to do that and you are already showing significant leadership in that regard.

I am sorry if my question is out of place because I missed the opening statements. After being a primary school teacher, I was in the Army for 12 years and then I went into the third-level sector. An area that really has emerged is that of gender-based violence and sexual violence at third level. The rates of gender-based violence, sexual violence and sexual harassment at third level are shockingly high. One in three students at third level experience incidents of gender-based violence, sexual violence and harassment. The research that is being carried out across the third level institutions shows that there can be a particular focus on first years. This is possibly because it will be the first time they have been away from home and living independently away from their parents, that is, if they can find accommodation. It is often their first experience of being in a gender-integrated environment. This is because so many schools are still all-girls schools and all-male schools. I know from speaking with some of the witnesses that they have been to those schools and some have come from more integrated schools. Notwithstanding all of the issues around race and the sensitivities there, is that something that is dealt with that at second level? Is that something the witnesses are experiencing now?

I have four children, and they are adults and teenagers. One of them is still in the second-level system. He is in transition year. I have a daughter who has just started first year. I know from talking to them that there are huge issues around gender-based violence, sexual violence and harassment. Is that something that came up in the focus groups? Is it something that the witnesses are cognisant of themselves? Is it being dealt with effectively? This does not just start in first year. Obviously, this is something that evolves over time. Is it dealt with properly at second level? What can we do about it? From the witnesses’ focus groups and their own experience, is there a difference in behaviours or outcomes between the peculiarly Irish model of having single-sex schools and integrated schools?