Dáil Report/Michael O'Regan: The difficulties in disciplining teachers not doing their jobs was highlighted by Labour education spokeswoman Jan O'Sullivan
She said the most difficult aspect of the Teaching Council's work would be investigating and, where appropriate, applying sanctions relating to professional misconduct for fitness to practice of any member.
"Certain procedures are already in place for dealing with teachers who are not doing their job as well as they should. Having discussed this issue with various bodies at the joint committee on education and science, it is clear these procedures are difficult to implement.
"For example, it is extremely difficult to remove teachers who are not performing." She added that many believed insufficient time was allocated to in-service training for teachers.
"A variety of other support mechanisms are also needed for teachers and, in particular, school principals who have a significantly larger workload in areas such as special needs as a result of recent legislation."
She was speaking during a debate on the Teaching Council (Amendment) Bill, providing for the inclusion of technical amendments to the original Teaching Council Act, 2001.
Fine Gael spokeswoman Olwyn Enright said that the council would deal with fitness to teach and the original Act contained guidelines on how this would be done, including provision for the holding of disciplinary hearings and a right of appeal for teachers.
"In addressing suitability, the issue of vetting teachers, or considering whether a person is unsafe to work with children, will arise in some shape or form. However, as vetting is not governed by legislation, the Teaching Council will have a problem in making decisions in this area because it will be required to operate under guidelines dealing with professional ability as distinct from personal suitability."
Ms Enright suggested that there should be consultation with the relevant Ministers to ensure that legislation was introduced.
"While it may not be the function of the Teaching Council to deal with vetting, consideration must be given to introducing a mechanism which would enable it to examine this issue." Sinn Féin spokesman Seán Crowe said there was considerable concern over the length of time it had taken to introduce the guidelines on the suitability of teachers.
Teachers were strongly defended by Finian McGrath (Independent, Dublin North Central), who said it was important to commend the magnificent work done by teachers.
"It is time to challenge the cynics and teacher-bashers both in this House and outside. The vast majority of these smug individuals would not even last an hour in a classroom, never mind five or six hours every day."
Mr McGrath, a former teacher, said it was the responsibility of all members to support teachers.
Minister for Education Mary Hanafin said specific requirements were laid out in the legislation as to how the matter of fitness to teach should be addressed.