Cautious welcome given to potential school phone ban locally

Reservations have been held locally over the proposed ban of the use of mobile phones by students in secondary schools.Minister for Education Norma Foley earlier this week said she plans to ask second-level schools to introduce the move during the school day.The department say the new measures will ensure that schools are "phone free zones, giving students an opportunity to focus on their schoolwork, their face-to-face communication skills and their friendship building during school hours".Local Fianna Fáil Councillor Edel McSharry says while the move is welcome, questions remain over its implementation.