Mr. Ed Byrne:

From a teacher's perspective, I believe there is deep distrust. The Teaching Council fitness-to-practise arrangement is being bedded in. Garda vetting is ongoing and not yet fully implemented, yet we are here talking about moving forward with some more legislation in a manner that does not always take into account the perspective of a teacher. Implementation of section 28 of the Education Act was delayed repeatedly. Perhaps that is why we have reached this impasse where we believe we have to go down a legislative road.

Teachers are suspicious. As my colleague said, there is an inspectorate. There are eight separate modes of inspection, which are a form of oversight. The Teaching Council is another layer of oversight. Some might justifiably say it is overkill. I am concerned about the capacity within the system to implement the legislation correctly and properly and allow schools to get on with developing the very much needed parent and student charter. It must, however, come about with the requisite resources.

Unfortunately, Deputy Jim Daly's Bill would lead to more confrontation. The experience of confrontation and the adversarial process in Ireland is that the only people to benefit are those in the legal profession. That is why we would prefer the parent and student charter. These are days pon which policymakers have to take into account the practitioners. Sometimes what leaves Marlborough Street as gold turns to iron pyrite in the hands of others. We should be careful as we move forward.