Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)

I will concentrate on the aspect of the motion concerning bullying and the lack of any co-ordinated national strategy to tackle it. Bullying is not a new phenomenon. It has been part of society since the beginning of civilisation. However, the harm caused by bullying and its effects has only been properly realised in recent years. The main consideration we must examine is the harm caused and the hurt felt due to bullying. The effects of being bullied might not surface for some years with certain people. Bullying can and does tarnish a person for life, and can be and is a reason for many suicides.

These are some reasons why we, as politicians, must see bullying as the major problem it is. When we talk about bullying in schools, we must consider the issue in distinct ways, in particular with regard to cause and effect. There have been numerous research studies into the causes of bullying, which vary from person to person. Some, because of a human defect or low self esteem, wish to forcefully intimidate others. Modern technology including mobile phones and e-mail has unfortunately made the practice so terribly easy it is frightening. The effect of this is that somebody fails to develop to his or her full potential as a person. He or she feels inadequate and cheated, and can find it hard to relate to others.

The extent of bullying in schools and the workplace is extremely difficult to quantify. The sad side of bullying is that many often suffer in silence, a situation we have all witnessed at school and in the workplace. Often, it will take a tragic event before what is going on surfaces.

One often subconsciously thinks of the bully as one who is strong and the person being bullied as weaker. This, like so many other concepts of bullying, is wrong. It is now, more than ever, vital that those with responsibility, such as teachers, have access to and are trained to the highest standards and best practice in recognising and dealing with bullying. I accept that this will take resources. No programme worth its salt will come cheap. However, what price do we put on the quality of life or the life of a person?

As many High Court cases have proved, the Government has a duty of care to our young people under the Constitution. Without properly equipping our teachers and boards of management, and without making them implement a strategy with the necessary equipment and education to tackle the menace of bullying, the Government will fail in its obligations, as it is currently failing. The days should be gone, rightly so, when a teacher would say: "Now, now, dear. It will be grand." to a student who tells him or her he or she has been bullied. Bullying can only be tackled by helping the person being bullied and the perpetrator. Time, money and sufficient resources must be dedicated to preventing school bullying. Otherwise, we will still be talking about it in ten years' time. We need the immediate implementation of a national anti-bullying strategy.

We want an education system for all but it is not yet in place. We do not have an all-inclusive education system which gives everybody a chance. Not everybody fits into mainstream education and the result is indiscipline in schools. Pupils are bored and do not fit in — school is not their scene. We need to encourage students to blend in by providing education with which they are happy.

I was insulted when the Minister yesterday referred to certain schools as "dumps", despite the great work they do in Waterford, Limerick and elsewhere to help students who do not fit into mainstream education, who have had difficulties and caused difficulties for others, and who need extra help and direction. Such schools are certainly not dumps. They provide an excellent service and give a fair chance to young people who do not always fit in, for different reasons.

There has been much recent debate on how disciplinary problems affect teachers. We have been told that teachers are highly trained and will be given additional training to help cope with the difficulties of modern education. A booklet due to be published this week details how teachers should adapt in their first couple of years teaching. The booklet contains four or five headings but none deals with discipline or how to control a class. Despite this, the Minister told the House last night that much had been done, that teachers were being looked after and that €27 million was being invested in training courses. However, a simple booklet to help new teachers cope with discipline problems fails to highlight the issue.

A national strategy on discipline is required. Standard departmental guidelines for every school on how to deal with disciplinary issues and correct forms of punishment should be in place. It should not be left to individual schools to implement their own discipline policy. It is a grey area which makes it difficult for boards of management and teachers to act in this regard. National guidelines on discipline are needed to allow teachers to act without fear of the law.

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