Síle de Valera (Clare, Fianna Fail)

This amendment is not necessary, in my view. By virtue of section 11 of the Equal Status Act, a person who is responsible for the operation of a school, must not allow another person who has a right to be present in that place, such as a student, to suffer harassment at that place. Harassment occurs where a person subjects another to any unwelcome act, request or conduct, including spoken words, gestures or the production, display or circulation of written words, pictures or other material, which is in respect of the victim and is based on any discriminatory ground, including disability and which could reasonably be regarded as offensive, humiliating or intimidating to him or her.

Senator Ulick Burke requested the implementation of a national plan to deal with bullying. He will be interested to hear that the Equality Authority and the Department of Education and Science, have produced a joint publication on the Equal Status Act and its application in schools. It is a useful document which addresses these issues and helps provide a blueprint for school managements.