Eileen Flynn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Training was done with banks about two years ago around recognising domestic violence and coercive control. It would be powerful if those kinds of services had Traveller awareness. When a Traveller walks into a bank, the bank staff are not meeting the whole community, they are meeting an individual where they are. Services should be meeting people where they are, not judging a whole community. Sometimes people make assumptions about you because you are a member of the Traveller community, such as that you cannot read or write. The level of racism and discrimination that still exists in Ireland for Travellers is appalling. Even listening to Mr. Collins say that we put off getting stuff done during the general elections and the European elections is appalling. Where would you ever hear of a community that comes into the House and says, as Mr. Collins did, that they are bracing themselves for the elections. It is striking to hear those kinds of statements in Leinster House today. As a committee, we have to look at how to change and challenge that. Perhaps, with the banks it is about raising awareness and working with people. That would be powerful.