Marie Louise O'Donnell (Independent)
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I do not have a question. I just want to say that the members of the panel are the most articulate, passionate, informed and alert group of people to have come before us in my short time as a member of this committee. I congratulate them on that because that is what this process is supposed to be about. We then try to influence the Bill by bringing into being the witnesses' suggestions. I was very impressed by the presentation. Some of the information was new to my ears, especially the 4,000 places for the young people in care. I just want to congratulate the witnesses because the work they put into their submissions in terms of their knowledge and what they brought to the committee is unique. I have learned a great deal and I hope to bring much of what the witnesses said to the way we will try to influence the Bill.

I thank Ms Duggan who was so articulate in making her submission but I would caution her slightly against making generalisations. There were many generalisations in her submission in so far as anti-bullying and the dangers of homophobic bullying are concerned, and patrons of schools and most teachers saying that homosexuality is an object of disorder. That is not true.