Page 1261 - Week 05 - Thursday, 31 May 2007
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The school provided first aid treatment in the care of your son, ..., … was contacted following the application of first aid and you were advised to take … to see a General Practitioner.
Police can be called to school premises if deemed necessary by the school, however, in this instance the school did not feel that there was any further threat to your son that would require police support at a school level. I am aware that you provided the police with a report of this incident.”
That letter was sent on 18 April directly to the parents from the department, in response to the particular concerns. Mrs Dunne, as she has indicated, has raised this issue with me. I have had many discussions with Mrs Dunne about my desire for these issues not to be elevated to the Legislative Assembly; that we do not need to air these sorts of issues that involve people’s private lives; these issues are best handled outside of the political environment and nothing is achieved by this sort of debate. All it does is further heighten the anxiety, stress and suffering that has occurred in this instance. Nothing will be advanced by this process.
As a result of this, I will have my department check again and I will seek further advice from them on this. If this advice to me is wrong, I will come in and correct the record. But the advice that I received from my department following extensive investigation was that the college handled the incident appropriately, and it was with that in mind that I gave my answer yesterday. Until I am advised otherwise, and given the extensive nature of the investigation, all that we have at the moment is an allegation that has been investigated by my department and their view is that the school handled the matter appropriately. That was the advice I provided to the Assembly yesterday and that is the advice I provide this morning. But, for the benefit of Mrs Dunne, I will have this matter investigated again and if there is any contrary advice I will, of course, immediately advise the Assembly.
This is another regrettable incident that has occurred in a school. It is unfortunate that it has had to be brought to the public spotlight in this way.
Mrs Dunne: Well, you brought it to the public spotlight.
MR BARR: No, I did not, Mrs Dunne.
Mrs Dunne: You did.
MR SPEAKER: Order, Mrs Dunne!
MR BARR: I have sought to deal with you. My office has sought to deal with your office extensively.
MR SPEAKER: Minister, direct your comments through the chair, please.
Mr Pratt: No, you didn’t. You didn’t speak transparently in question time yesterday.
MR SPEAKER: Order, Mr Pratt!
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