Professor Peter Shirlow:

Some political parties, which I will not name, should be far less resistant to outsiders providing information and argument. An ideological shift on the part of a lot of political parties has to take place. Outsiders can be trusted. They might have a different perspective and a different set of values but they can be trusted to provide evidence that is not agenda-seeking. I want social prosperity and social justice as much as those in political parties in Northern Ireland, as does everyone here. There must be less suspicion of outsiders providing evidence. It is not always an agenda. It is about their values and ideas. Much of the capacity within the Assembly is lost because of that impervious nature towards evidence and engaging with others.