Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Minister is not being clear. Yes, it states "may" and there is discretion, but if that discretion is not used and the Minister is saying that it may be the case, where it is only fair to the student that it not be used, she has not provided any other sanction.

The Minister has not provided for any sanction for the parent or the person connected to the student, which may be another teacher. Who knows what kind of person might be involved? It is immaterial. The point is the student is not involved. The Minister has not provided for any sanction for such a person. Yes, the provision says "may" and there is room for discretion. That is right because each set of circumstances will be different. However, unless provision is made for circumstances in which somebody else does something that interferes with the process without the student's knowledge, an incentive will exist. The Minister needs to be clear on this. I have given her two possibilities but she has not told me which applies.

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