Mr. Eoin Millar:

I will try to be as brief as I can, given that others have to speak in regard to the questions. For Northern Ireland, the EU has funded something magnificent, the Peace Bridge. That is really symbolic of the work the EU played not only in peace-building but also in fostering good relations. None of us here had a say in or got to vote on Brexit. I am now here and believe we are lesser off as a consequence. Being European forms part of my identity. I would say I am European, Irish, British and Northern Irish. I am a plurality of things in that regard. No one is more important. My sense of being European does not trump my sense of being Northern Irish, and my sense of being Northern Irish does not trump my sense of having a collage of identities.

Senator Currie stated power sharing is a way to share our problems. I truly agree. As I said in my opening statement, I do not really have a view on the constitutional future. Actually, 17 MLAs with the Northern Ireland Assembly do not have a say like that of those who designate, be they nationalist or unionists. When it comes to the petition of concern, their vote is meaningless. It is weighted in favour of cross-community majorities. We need to tackle the needs of the people I am referring to and enfranchise them. They comprise a growing group in the North, for better or for worse.

With regard to votes at 16, our organisation, Northern Ireland Youth Forum, has conducted research in partnership with the Electoral Commission. We found it all bubbles down to education. There is a lack of political education. There is a lack of education on matters that make young people active citizens in society. Schools should set you up not only to be good at mathematics, English, languages and other subjects that are so crucial to the development of humanity but also to engage in the development of civic society as a whole.

On the young person's forum and Senator Black's comments, the others also have a key say. Arguably, there is no majority in Northern Ireland now. There is no nationalist, unionist or other majority. The others are the ones who will decide the future of this island. They really need to be talked to in tandem.

With regard to schools, there is another big, separate issue. People go to school and youth groups and then go back to their own communities, which have their own leisure centres and playing parks. It is a question of ours and theirs, us in them. Even this division of infrastructure causes issues. I know that, as a member of my community, I was not engaging with people from the other side. I find that Northern Ireland, regardless of where you come from or your background, is one community. We all care about healthcare and issues concerning schools.

With regard to the Northern Ireland Assembly and the recent election, the Members were elected in May to do a job. There is no excuse for not doing that job. It bubbles down to the fact that they are our representatives. If those people who are meant to be representing wider society are incapable of doing a job, it is an issue. Seeing the younger people here today, I feel they, I and everyone across Northern Ireland and the wider island should be up in the Chamber. The main issue is the fact that the majority of MLAs in Stormont want to work for their communities and address the cost-of-living crisis. We are entering a winter that will be very difficult for families, and there is a party that decides, through its mandate, not to take its seats. This is why the assembly needs to be reformed. Institutions need to be reformed. That will lead to a more mature society, a society that allows politics to work for everyone, not just them and us.