Ciara Conway (Waterford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

First, I extend my sympathy to the Lynch, Gilbert and extended Connors families who experienced such an unspeakable tragedy. I also think of the first responders who attended the site. What an appalling incident it was for anybody to have to experience. It is horrific to think the lives of ten citizens ended so quickly and in such a violent way. I cannot think of a worse way to die.

I have read some of the briefing information I have received form the Department. I could hear the frustration in the voice of my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin. It will be noted that he did not read from a script because I am not sure the Department is completely on board with what he had to say. We are not only talking about polling companies but even within the Department is there a willingness in this respect? In the briefing note I received three steps are outlined that need to be taken to recognise the ethnicity of the Traveller community. The first is that the Taoiseach or the Minister for Justice and Equality make a statement to the Dáil to recognise the ethnicity of the Traveller community; the second is that the Government write to the relevant international bodies, confirming that the State recognises the ethnicity of the Traveller community, and the third is that the Government build on these initiatives and commence a time-limited dialogue with the Traveller representative groups about the new legislation or amendments to existing legislation required. Essentially, we are waiting for someone to make a speech and someone else to write a letter, while people's lives hang in the balance. That is simply not good enough. If it involved any other group in society, we would not be waiting for someone to stand up and make a speech and for somebody else to write a letter. Ten people perished and died in an unspeakable and unthinkable way and in this forum we are still debating an issue that can be resolved - I am advised by the relevant Department - by somebody standing up, namely, the Taoiseach or the Minister for Justice and Equality, to make a statement recognising the ethnic minority that is the Traveller community which has a distinctive culture, language and heritage.

In my role as a social worker and a community worker before I was elected to the Dáil I worked side by side with members of the Traveller community who worked as health workers and were employed by the HSE in Clonmel, one of the first areas in the country where members of the Traveller community were employed as members of the public service. However, the Minister of State and I know that the only job a Traveller can find in Ireland is working for a Traveller's group. A Traveller cannot find work anywhere else. Is it any wonder, therefore, that members of the Traveller community feel segregated, isolated and have difficulty in engaging with systems? I agree also with my colleague, Deputy Joanna Tuffy, when she says help is available, but it is available if one is able to look for it. As a Government, we need to ensure such help is forthcoming when people need it.

I was very lucky at the weekend to be in my local library in Dungarvan, County Waterford where there were beautiful displays of artwork by members of the County Waterford Travellers women's group celebrating Traveller pride. I am not sure if there was much public fanfare about the artwork or if the mayor launched the art display, bearing in mind that one often sees a person wearing a chain of office cutting a ribbon and launching other displays of art, but I stand to be corrected. I did not know the art displays were taking place in the library. I just happened to be there with my daughter on Saturday and was delighted to see the artwork displayed.

It is a beautiful display and one with which I would encourage everyone to engage. Going back to my central point, in the wake of the most tragic and appalling deaths of ten citizens of this country, we are waiting for a speech, a letter and some amendments to be made. I do not believe the Traveller community should be made wait any longer.

See this speech in context