David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to make what is perhaps a controversial point. During our last meeting and today we have found out about a long shared history and a rich cultural tradition, common language and literature. We heard examples of these on the previous occasion and as Deputy Finian McGrath stated, we were all quite impressed with it. Speaking for myself, and perhaps some colleagues, I was ignorant of this. One of the witnesses stated if he had gone to the United States without having been accompanied by a Traveller he would not have gained access to the community there. There is a sense that settled people are excluded from this tradition and history. It might be useful for us to explore this further. What is in the common parlance is Travellers as troublesome people who steal things and get drunk. I was taken by a point in Dr. Mac Laughlin's submission with regard to demoralisation and despondency particularly among young male Travellers. I was also struck by the point on commercial nomadism being taken away and being left with a certain amount of deprivation. On the other side some Traveller traders are extremely well off. There are a number of contradictions and issues in the general mindset of people which need to be teased out and addressed. These perhaps lead to the fears which lead to the racism alluded to by Deputy Mac Lochlainn earlier. Will the witnesses comment on these points?