Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

Time goes very fast when one is dealing with such a topic. We are fortunate to have so many new Members who have such a knowledge of child care. Has the Minister considered the question of a parent's right to slap a child? I do not think they have a right to slap a child. As a parent, when one comes across it in public, rare as it may be, it is difficult to take. I ask the Minister to have a discussion on the whole area of how we treat children. Children are right in their own way. No adult has a right to slap a child. A former colleague of the Minister, John Boland, removed such slapping from schools. I thank God for that because we were treated abominably at school. I do not blame the Christian Brothers. They were right to give what I call "six of the best" with a designed leather strap.

I have great respect for the Christian Brothers because without them I would not have received an education. At the time children were fearful going to school and, thanks be to God, the Government has removed that. Unfortunately, that fear extended to the home. It is possible to safeguard children in public places. It is wrong for anyone to hit a child and it is unacceptable behaviour. I want a discussion on an adult's right to strike a child, to consider reform in this area. I would like to hear the views of the Minister.