John McGahon (Fine Gael)
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I apologise that I am coming in now but I was attending a meeting of the Joint Committee on Climate Action at the same time. Mr. Collins mentioned the LucidTalk poll that showed 71% of people in Northern Ireland believe that integrated schools should be the norm. Is that a recent trend? Has that 71% support for integrated schools been progressing steadily or has it emerged in recent years?

As Mr. Collins mentioned, there were 41 integrated schools at the time of the Good Friday Agreement and there are now 68 or 69. Why has progress in creating integrated schools been so slow? Is there much opposition to integrated schools in Northern Ireland? If there is opposition, which sectors of society is that opposition coming from?

The Chairman touched on an issue. Mr. John FitzGerald noted that the education system in Northern Ireland is a recipe for failure. Do our guests think that is a fair assessment and if so, why?