asked the Minister for Education if, in view of his concurrence with the view that it is the natural right of the parent to decide on the method by which a child will be punished, and that this right cannot be usurped by any deputed authority such as a teacher in school, he will state whether it has been or will be decided by rule or otherwise that the teacher is the person liable for prosecution before the courts where a parent believes that his child, contrary to his wishes, has been assaulted while in class under the supervision of the teacher at a primary school.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Punishment of School Children.
I fear that the Deputy has read into my reply to his supplementary question of the 19th of June, something that is not in that reply. My position in the matter is as explained by me in reply to the Deputy's original question on that date.
However, in relation to the question now asked, I can only say that it is not for me to decide against whom proceedings should be brought where a parent believes that recourse to the courts is called for.