Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his reply. It is very important that a child be given a fair hearing, especially if he or she is in breach of discipline. He or she must be afforded an opportunity to respond orally or in writing. We must also understand some of the children in question have very poor communication skills and literacy problems. The are entitled to a right to reply - verbally or in writing - and it should be afforded to them.

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