A debate is needed on children, but the debate on spanking children is over as far as I am concerned. It was over long ago. A survey carried out last year and the year before by the ISPCC and the Children's Rights Alliance found that two thirds of the adults surveyed thought it had already been banned. To think smacking a child would be acceptable is like saying assault on an adult would be acceptable. One does not inculcate respect by the heavy hand of authority, which is the old-fashioned way of doing it and which went out the door long ago. I call for a debate on positive parenting.

If one does not have positive parenting and parents are not helped in terms of how to help their children, problems will arise. Parenting classes are included in the child care model. Tusla is considering the matter. It is important for a child to observe the parent solving problems in a creative way rather than by force. Might is not right in any society. If a child does not observe the parent doing it properly, it inculcates unskilled parenting and that can continue from one generation to the next. It does not encourage learning, independence or other positive skills. There is a lesson to be learned. One speaker said there was no need for a debate, but I seek a debate to ensure we help parents to help themselves and, in turn, help children in future years.