Eamonn Coghlan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Precisely. Do people who engage in bullying know the damage they are causing, the lives they are destroying, the humiliation and isolation and low self-esteem they are causing? They use intimidation and aggression to feel that power but it hides other issues. We need to rethink tactics on dealing with bullying. We welcome the anti-bullying forum established by the Minister and we note that it is not just about cyberbullying but also homophobic bullying and racism. We welcome the fact that the Minister is engaging students, educators, parents and academics and is identifying policies and practices. We need practical steps to tackle bullying.

We also welcome the research centre of Professor Mona O'Moore in Trinity College Dublin and the five areas she is working on, including national strategy, teacher training, a media campaign, national advisory boards and legislation. Dr. O'Moore referred to the ABCs, namely, avoiding aggression, being tolerant and care for others. In my points for life campaign, through the medium of physical education in schools, I spoke about ABCs, meaning agility, balance and co-ordination, and cardiovascular. Through the work I am doing with the Department in this area, which is going quite well, we can incorporate the bullying tactic and how to deal with it through the medium of physical activity education in sports in school. I thank the Minister for his attention and the work he is doing to attack this issue progressively.