Flippant remark

I find it hard to believe that Education Minister Ruairi Quinn has suggested that pupils seek help with personal issues from caretakers, cleaning staff, and general teaching staff.

He is undermining special qualifications earned by guidance counsellors and other professionals.

Consider also the Soham murders in the UK, where two pupils, Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, were murdered. Holly had approached her murderer Ian Huntley for help with a nose bleed. I do not wish any disrespect to wonderful staff in schools, but I believe the minister’s remark is flippant and he needs to withdraw it.