Tom Clonan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I commend the proposer, Senator Mullen, and the seconder, Senator McDowell, on putting forward this Bill. I agree with Senator Ahearn that it contains a lot of common sense. In a previous life back in the 1980s, as a young primary school teacher, I was involved in many extracurricular activities with pupils. I was horrified to note that, in later years, when my children were in primary school in the 2000s and mid-2010s, new rules meant pupils were not allowed to run or explore their environment to the same extent. That limits children's potential. This legislation is to be welcomed and it would be great if the Government could support it.

At the height of the Celtic tiger, I recall reading an article in the Financial Timesabout primary school principals in London, whose skill sets were compared with those of the chief executive officers of big multinational companies. The study concluded that principals and teachers in primary schools exercise a broader range of skills than do the CEOs of the largest multinational companies. Principals and teachers deal with a large number of stakeholders, including parents, boards of management and agencies. One issue they should not have to deal with is the type of litigation to which Senator Mullen referred, with some legal firms advertising their ability to take on schools over minor scratches, falls, trips, spills and so on.

As I said, I support Senator Mullen's Bill and I hope the Government is in a position to support it.