Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The definition in the action plan states that bullying is not just about any kind of injury or negative impact, it involves a particular kind of harm. It is aimed at engendering a kind of helplessness or inability to act or do anything. I agree with that definition but it is also about the humiliation and subjugation of the target, which invariably has life-long consequences.

The scourge of bullying is not only as prevalent today as it was in my school years in the 1950s and 1960s, but I fear that it is even more in evidence now. I am greatly concerned about what we do not see or know because cyber-bullying can often be a hidden act. Lives are not only blighted and in some cases seriously impacted upon by school years' bullying but we also know - only too sadly - that some lives have been tragically lost.

I referred to school years' bullying as against school attendance bullying and there is more than a subtle difference.

It is important to recognise the school environment offers an important opportunity to address this scourge whether it occurs in the classroom, the schoolyard or any other setting - and invariably it does occur in other settings. While the Minister has responded to my question by advising there has been a good and positive response, I must tell her with some regret that in seeking to have matters addressed in this area, I have encountered a defensiveness and a reluctance to accept on the part of some senior educators. There almost is a sense that in some way this is a negative reflection on the school although no such thing is intended by me or anyone else in trying to have this dreadful scourge addressed. I believe more work is required and am fully supportive of the action plan of what is sought to be achieved by the Minister for Education and Skills with the support of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, as well as that of Members. However, I ask that the reality be faced up to. It is because it is not as bright or as certain as the Minister's reply suggests that I felt obliged to reflect this in the Chamber today and to ask the Minister to take this on board and to examine how it can be addressed.

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