asked the Minister for Education if he is aware of a report (details supplied) by the British Psychological Society which considers the use of corporal punishment in classrooms to be ethically indefensible; and if he is now in a position to ban the further use of corporal punishment in Irish schools.
Ceisteanna—Questions . Oral Answers . - Corporal Punishment in Schools .
32
: I am aware of the report. Discussions which I have initiated with the managerial and teacher organisations have not yet been completed. I am not, accordingly, in a position to make a further statement in the matter at this stage.
: Will the discussions which the Minister has initiated with managerial and teaching organisations ever be completed?
: Yes.
: Before the end of this year?
: I will not put a date on it but they will be completed.
: Can we expect positive action from the Minister in banning corporal punishment in schools before the end of this year?
: As I have told the House I am having consultations with the relevant authorities and we will try to make what progress we can.
: In relation to the progress of the consultations the Minister has embarked on, can he say whether the organisation and teaching unions which remain to be consulted amount to a greater or lesser part of the total number of those he has consulted? Is he past the half way mark?
: All have been consulted but they will be consulted again.
: Why?
: One does not make progress without having —
: Would I be right in assuming that the Minister has now consulted these organisations twice, first, by inviting their written submissions and secondly, in some form known only to himself? Does he not agree that if he does not know their views and opinions on this matter now he will never know them?
: I know their views.
: Make a decision then.
: It will be done by discussion rather than by diktat or——
: Do not dither.
: I do not dither. Dithering is not part of my culture.
: Question No. 33.
: The Minister never issued a diktat in his life.
: Even to please Opposition Deputies I shall not dither.
: Be brave. The Minister is giving a good imitation of it.