Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The feedback I was getting reflects what the witnesses have said in that there are two divergent opinions. It will be important that the trade unions, as representative organisations, and the Teaching Council would set out what the facts are. We always know that the thing that is not factual will gather momentum quicker than the facts, unfortunately.

Regarding Mr. Reidy's points about the difference in standards and the differential in income, all this must be a source of concern. We wish to see equality and convergence on this island because we want to see the changes that will bring about improvements for everybody, North and South. Of concern is the statement made by Mr. Reidy that "with the continued absence of the Executive, more divergence will ... occur". This is a message that needs to go to the politicians who are holding up the restoration of the institutions, including the Assembly, the Executive and the North-South Ministerial Council. Oftentimes, that latter institution is left out of the narrative in regard to the difficulties because of Stormont not meeting.

Again, with regard to Mr. Boyle's point about the ESRI study on student mobility in Ireland and Northern Ireland, I welcome proper studies and qualitative research and not putting 100 people in a room and expecting them to have the answers to every issue that will arise in regard to our island and how its constitution will pan out in the future. All of us who have set views on that must be inclusive and accommodating and ensure that everybody's voices are heard. The clear message coming across in the witnesses' contributions is the need for the inclusion of all views.

I was at the initial launch of the project on the education of border communities, North and South. The study was sponsored by Educate Together and carried out by the Ulster University. I look forward to going to the event again for the launch of the final report. Again, this concerns schools in south Fermanagh, an area close to my county. These were earmarked for closure, which made no sense because we all know the value of local education and access to it. We take the point in respect of good research and the Teaching Council, and how we could have an all-Ireland teacher training system. This is a valuable suggestion because we would again be getting people involved at a young age.