Ms Jane Hayes-Nally:

In terms of an ombudsman, we would have our reservations but ultimately feel there is a need to create a specific office that will deal with complaints in regard to education. Our concerns lie with whether one office can effectively investigate a complaint and the current capacity of the office to conduct investigations in a timely fashion. We also have reservations regarding the costs.

This charter allows for a real opportunity but our message today is very clear. We seek equality in consultation, equality in a right to organise, to be heard, equality in the right to participate in decision making, especially when these decisions affect us more than anyone else.