evidence: Once again, the University of Ulster are pleased to see that this important issue is getting the attention of politicians and policy makers and we would like to thank the Committee of Inquiry for seeking our views. We would be pleased to supply further information and publications on the studies referred to in this response. [...] Under s75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, public authorities including the Department of Health are under an obligation to pay due regard to promoting equality of opportunity in all their functions among those of different age, religious belief, political opinion, racial group, marital status or sexual orientation, and also between men and women, persons with a disability and persons without, and persons with dependents and persons without. [...] Mr Iain McGowan University of Ulster