Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

Senator Brian Hayes raised a very interesting point regarding the bizarre website where students are supposed to rate their teachers. I have spoken to several teachers who found it to be particularly hurtful. They find it hurtful because it is anonymous. It is unclear if the comments even come from a pupil. A conspiracy could exist against an individual and it is very ungenerous for young people to put such insulting comments on the site. We expect young people to be courageous, forthright and to nail their colours to the mast.

Another aspect of this matter concerns the advertisers. Some very well-known business interests advertise on the site and I wonder how they can justify it. The view of the teachers is that many teachers give time over and above the call of duty outside of school hours. It is all right for an older teacher who has a track record and feels confident but this can be demeaning and hurtful for a young teacher in his or her first year who is trying to build up confidence in the profession.

I am aware that we can do nothing about this matter in a legislative sense, but we should be aware that this is insidious. I do not blame the pupils. I blame the site, which is based in America, and I also question those people in Ireland who advertise on it.