Pat Kenny has slammed government plans to outlaw parents smacking their children.
Children’s Minister James Reilly will review the laws after the Council of Europe ruled that a lack of a clear ban violates young people’s rights.
However, the former RTE star has claimed the move is “rubbish” and doesn’t see anything wrong with giving kids a light slap when they misbehave.
Rubbish: Pat thinks the smacking ban is ridiculous | VIPIRELAND.COM
“My problem with all of this is that people say there are other ways, some of the other ways are deeply psychologically hurtful and can do more damage to children long term,” Pat said.
The UTV presenter argued that a light slap was preferable to a parent screaming and losing their cool with a child.
“I’m talking about a small smack across the forearm saying, ‘Don’t do that, you are sticking your finger in the plug again, don’t do that.'”
No harm: Pat reckons there’s nothing wrong with a light smack
“If you see a child who puts him or herself in harm’s way, and repeatedly does it, then it’s appropriate,” he said on Newstalk.
“We are not talking about beating them up, just a gentle physical admonishment.”
The former Late Late Show host was debating the issue with Fin Gael TD Regina Doherty who claimed it was never ok to hit a child.
“I don’t think anybody would agree that slapping children is in the best interests of the child,” she said.
