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

Members received a briefing in the AV room on this area towards the latter end of 2012, which was attended by a former school principal from a county neighbouring the city of Dublin, whose contribution was very informative. It demonstrated, which I fear may be the reality, that in the main it is down to the penchant of the principal and the other senior players within a respective school environment. This cannot be so, as challenging bullying must be a shared and accepted responsibility across the board because it is an integral part, in respect of those who are targeted and those who are carrying out this offensive behaviour, of preparing them all for life and must be seen within the overall context of that preparation. My own observations are that it is not as universally embraced as it needs to be and I therefore take this opportunity to advise the Minister of this and to encourage the greatest proactivity and the realisation of the warmest embrace possible of what must now be done.

See this speech in context