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

I think the argument has largely been made. As the Minister said, there had been a consultation with the whole framework, although it has not been agreed or finalised. It is a bit of a pig in a poke in terms of what is actually required. This signs it into law and then makes something that is ill-defined into a mandatory requirement. If teachers do not match up they could be de-registered, but I do not think that is the right way to approach these matters.

As I said, and Deputy Coppinger has underlined the point, there is no doubt that teachers are committed to the idea of CPD. However, there are questions about what, where and when it is, as well as what conditions are attached to it. In addition, is it useful and relevant? Teachers have relayed stories to me about things they have been required to do which were ridiculous and patronising. They were of no benefit whatsoever in terms of what they had to do in the classroom.

Teachers are very committed to meaningful CPD but how and what it is needs to be agreed with the teachers themselves. They will then no doubt embrace it enthusiastically. It is pre-emptive to put it in the Bill as a requirement when we do not know what "it" really is.

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