Quinn denies hypocrisy claims over bullying

Education Minister Ruairi Quinn has denied it is hypocritical to launch a major crackdown on homophobic bullying in schools while some teachers still fear being sacked because they are gay.

Welcoming a major effort to target bullies, particularly those using social media to assert homophobic or racist attitudes, Mr Quinn said he wanted to see the reform of section 37 of the 1998 Employment Equality Act which provokes widespread concern in teachers and medical staff at religious-run schools and hospitals that they could lose their jobs on the grounds of their sexual orientation.

But despite equality campaigners warning the clause fuelled a culture of tolerating homophobia in schools, the minister insisted there was no connection to the anti-bullying campaign.