Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

I will not labour the point because we discussed these amendments on Committee Stage. Even the word "suitable" which the Minister used would be preferable to "fit and proper". As I noted when first proposing the amendment, there is no question of challenging the validity of the vetting process. We need to ensure those who are registered with the Teaching Council are properly vetted and suitable to work with children. However, the term "fit and proper" is inappropriate language. I suspect use of the term elsewhere in legislation dates back to an earlier era when notions of hierarchy and propriety prevailed. It is archaic language which carries the wrong connotations and, more importantly, is too vague and amorphous as a criterion for determining whether an individual is suitable and qualified to be a teacher. The Minister's response does not address my concerns about the terminology and its connotations. Something more precise is required.

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