Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Not being comfortable with it is one thing; not being legal is another. I am concerned about this. There is a big difference between primary and secondary schools. Many people have followed the guidance but will have an objection to this. I do not, but some do. I want to know that principals are protected. We have trawled to see what the legal basis is to cover principals and boards of management and we cannot find any. The announcement was on non-headed note paper. There was no signature on the PDF that was sent out. What is the legal basis that protects principals and boards of management?

If somebody is not allowed into school, how will it affect his or her attendance record? There is a legal basis in law regarding kids having to go to school. What happens in this instance? Kids have a constitutional, legal right to an education. I ask the Taoiseach once more: are principals and boards of management legally protected? What is the legal basis under which this measure operates? We as a Legislature need to know that.

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