Mr. Pat McKelvey:

Regarding diversity, and especially in the primary sector, we have a way to go with it. If we consider the number of schools in Catholic patronage compared with the number of people now professing themselves to be followers of that denomination, it is evident that diversity at primary level seriously lags behind that to be found in society.

I agree completely with my colleagues about the need to build more provision. That is fundamental. In addition, however, from a legislative perspective, we must ask if the fundamental purpose of schools subvented and paid for by the State is to serve their local communities. If that is the fundamental purpose, then that must be reflected in the legislation.