Mr. Martin Collins:

Over the years there have been many Deputies, and some who became Ministers, who engaged in racist rhetoric around the provision of Traveller accommodation. This racism goes to the higher echelons of society. It is not just at local authority level but permeates the whole political system. Indeed, politicians, Deputies and some people who became Ministers, by engaging in that racist rhetoric, validate and legitimise that racist rhetoric that happens at local authority level. I call on politicians, etc. to be a lot more responsible. I call on the leadership of parties, and most of these politicians belong to parties and some may be Independents, to rein in these people and discipline them for engaging in racist rhetoric, particularly around elections such as general elections. The local and European elections will take place next year and we are bracing ourselves. I will say what we have done on the national Traveller accommodation consultative committee. The process for the next round of the five-year TAP was meant to commence in February and be formally adopted around May or June, which is right in the middle of the local and European elections. The Traveller representatives asked for that process to be delayed until September because we know that during the local and European elections, this matter will be heavily politicised and some candidates will engage in cheap and reckless politics to get a few votes. Thankfully, the Department has agreed with us and has deferred the process until September to avoid the local and European elections.