Vol. 406 No. 4
19 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Education if she will have a section (details supplied) in her Department's handbook on physical education in the primary school curriculum, re-examined to eliminate any sex bias contained in it; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
It is my policy to eliminate sexism from all aspects of primary education, including from all written material used.
The section in the handbook on physical education is being revised, as was recommended by the Primary Curriculum Review Body. I have given explicit instructions that any sexism should be eliminated from the section, as indeed from all aspects of the handbook. May I put it on the record that I highlighted this issue recently——
The Minister should not ask the question.
Shall I read the section?
(Limerick East) Is it in order, a Cheann Comhairle, for the Minister to make quotations at Question Time?
If the Deputy does not want to hear it that is OK with me.
As Deputy Noonan knows, I have no control over Minister's replies but I have over Deputies.
I accept the Minister's comments on my question. I suppose one should give credit where it is due. While the primary school curriculum makes many positive statements there is one glaring misdirection. While it recognises that physical education should make a valuable contribution to the aesthetic, emotional and moral development of people, unfortunately it contains such statements as that girls tend to choose light delicate movements and retain a longer love of fantasy whereas boys generally move with strength and tend to be more realistic. I am glad the Minister does not need any more convincing in terms of strength and realism and is taking steps to have such statements removed from text books. The sooner that statement is removed from the primary school curriculum the better. In an age when we aspire to equality and the removal of sex bias this will be a step in the right direction.
It is daft, and it is not that many years ago since it was inserted in the handbook. Certainly I have not found that men tend to be more realistic.
Deputy Deenihan.
I take it the Minister is talking about the Cabinet.
(Limerick East) That is the difference between Brian and Mary.
Apart from re-examining this section the Minister should scrap the entire handbook as it is a disgrace to physical education. I am sure the Minister would agree that physical education in primary schools is a total shambles.
I am dealing with the matter referred to in Deputy Spring's question. It is a very good question——
It is a very good question but the handbook is a shambles and a disgrace——
That disposes of questions for today.
On a point of order——
Is it a point of order?
Yes. As you are aware, you refused a Private Notice Question from me today which asked the Minister for Social Welfare to outline the Government's response to the judgment of the European Court of Justice on a case. This issue has been said repeatedly to be sub judice. I should like to ask if this case is really sub judice given that I have already done an interview with Century Radio on it, the Council for the Status of Women have commented widely on it and the Free Legal Aid Board——
Deputy Byrne knows that my rulings in such matters may not be challenged in this fashion. The Deputy said his question had been ruled out of order on the grounds that it is sub judice. That is the information conveyed to my office and I must accept that.
I appreciate that but——
If the Deputy wants to pursue the matter in some other way he may do so but he may not pursue it now.
I do not wish to fall out with you but I want to make two points. I am a public representative and people have been ringing me——
Deputy Byrne, this is now disorderly.
I do not wish for a moment to be disorderly——
I have conveyed my decision to the Deputy and he may not question my ruling in the House. If he wants further elaboration in respect of the decision made by me and my office I will be glad to furnish it to him in my office but he may not challenge it here.
I will be very happy to take up your offer but I would beg your indulgence——
I am proceeding now to convey information to the House appertaining to Adjournment Debates.
This matter will have severe repercussions——
Deputy Byrne will now desist.
A Cheann Comhairle——
Resume your seat, Deputy, please.
This matter can be discussed everywhere except in this House.
Deputy Rabbitte may not compound the disorder. If the Chair is advised that a matter is sub judice, that is that.
