Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

To be clear, what we are discussing here is a measure aimed at combatting racism and discrimination. Anti-Traveller racism runs deep in Irish society and it is strongly reflected in the State, the various arms of the State and the education system. The Minister, Deputy Foley, understated the position quite severely in her introductory remarks. I welcome the fact she is supporting the Bill but to say that, "In recent decades, progress has been made in creating an education system that is more inclusive and supportive, including for Traveller children and young people", albeit with the rider that, "This being said, I recognise that much remains to be done and the sheer fact of this Bill being brought before the House today highlights this", really understates the position, especially when you consider that a young Traveller person is 50 times less likely than other kids to stay in education up to and including the leaving certificate and that specific Traveller education supports in schools were cut to the tune of more than 85% during the austerity period.

I point to the identities of the Deputies who are present for this debate. I cannot see around corners or to the seats above me, but it seems that although the Minister has come into the Chamber to participate in the debate, she is alone on her side of the House. I stand to be corrected but is there another Government Deputy in the Chamber? The Government may be voting for the Bill but where is the enthusiasm for it among Government Deputies?

This is a very modest measure to combat racism and discrimination in schools but it is a fine Bill and I support it entirely in word and in spirit. The idea of making Traveller history and culture an integral part of the education of young people is a very positive proposal. It will encompass the songs, storytelling, language and history of Travelling people. While reading up in preparation for this debate, I learned about the role of Travelling people in the 1916 Rising and the War of Independence, when weapons were hidden in wagons and transported from one area to another etc. Young people in schools should be learning about this. By the way, two groups will gain if that is done. First, the young Traveller people who will see their history reflected in the education system will gain, but so will all the other young people in the education system who have been denied knowledge of and education on this part of the history of the country and so on. Bringing that into the education system would be warmly welcomed by a big majority of young people.

An anti-oppression point of view and consciousness is quite prevalent now among young people. You see it in terms of opposition to the oppression of women, support for #MeToo and repeal, opposition to racism with the Black Lives Matter movement, as well as on international issues such as solidarity with the Palestinian people against injustice. If Traveller history and culture become part of the education system, young people will embrace them. Of course, anti-Traveller racism and discrimination cannot be knocked on the head and dealt with for good merely through the education system. There are myriad other injustices that are rooted in society. Travellers constitute 1% of the population yet 12% of homeless young people are Travellers. I refer to the significant amounts of funds in councils for Traveller accommodation that remain unspent . That will have to be uprooted both within the education system and outside it in wider society. The Bill is a small but important step forward and I am very happy to support it.

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