Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank all the witnesses for their presentations. I am very new to this committee and I am on a learning curve. I have huge respect for my colleagues who have spoken already because I can see their passion in trying to change things. It is great the way you have got this committee working, Chair. There seems to be a real commitment to try and deliver short- and medium-term changes.

I am really taken aback by the situation the Traveller community faces. I am also really struck by the last lines in the MABS presentation and it is worth repeating them. It states:

There are still Traveller families who cannot afford to heat their homes. They send their children to bed with extra blankets to keep them warm. They use candles rather than electricity. Every day they have to make decisions between heating and food for their families.

I do not doubt that statement for a moment. I just want to reflect on the fact that here we are in 2023 with a budget surplus of either €8 billion or €12 billion, yet people's basic needs are not being met in the most shocking of circumstances.

There have been some great suggestions today and it is great to see that they are going to be taken on board. I have two questions. The first goes back to Mr. Collins's point about institutionalised racism and the fact that a proposal has been made to the Department that it has sat on for two years. Has he had any response to it whatsoever? Has there been any kind of feedback or any direction? As he said, the Department gave a commitment that it was going to work with Travellers. We are all blown away by the model outlined. I love the phrase "self-determination". Has there been any response or have the witnesses just been met with silence for the two years?