Niall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the delegates for the presentation so far. It has been very informative and useful. I also commend the delegates on the nomination which is quite the achievement. I have every confidence in them. I had a brilliant visit to Lagan College when I was Lord Mayor of Belfast. I went to Malone College and a few others also. It was great. One knows as soon as one walks into a school whether it is a happy and healthy one in which people are doing well. Certainly, I picked up on it there. While I would never presume to tell the delegates what to do, they might find it valuable before they leave to extend an invitation to committee members to come to see it in practice for themselves.

I have a couple of questions about some of the issues raised and on which I would like the delegates to expand. I am keen to know what is the difference between an integrated school and a non-denominational or multidenominational school. How does it play out in practice?

We want all schools to be integrated, but is that going to be possible in reality? Different aspects have to be taken into consideration, including the right to choice etc. I was impressed and pleased to hear about the work undertaken by Lagan College to make Irish available for study up to A level because I have a particular interest in the language. I also congratulate its Gaelic football team on winning the JJ Riley Cup last year. Are such developments replicated across the sector or are they unique to Lagan, Belfast or particular geographic areas? Will the witnesses also tell me about the Integration Works project and the importance of support from the Department for the project and, indeed, other projects?