Questions were raised over MLAs’ commitment to the visually impaired and why Northern Ireland does not have a disabled person’s commissioner. The panel didn’t know why there was no commissioner to represent disabled people and could think of no reason why there shouldn’t be one. Mark Durkan offered that he would advocate such an appointment [...]

The panel appeared eager for the executive to find a solution and come to the aid of the Greencastle ferry system. David McClarty described it as a “vital service” while Mark Durkan and Gregory Campbell hoped that, with a little imagination and innovation, something could be done for the ferry. Is enough being done for [...]

New selection proposals suggest children who receive free school meals may also receive preferential treatment when it comes to academic selection. Does this discriminate against parents who go out to work to provide meals for their children? Raymond McCartney believes that, when trying to help the disadvantaged, solutions can sometimes appear ‘radical and different’ but [...]

An unhappy member of the audience queried the panel as to how one party was able to abolish the 11 plus without a viable alternative in place. Whilst the most of the panel supported Martin McGuinness’ decision to abolish the 11 plus, there was more division over whether the new approach for a replacement system [...]