Michael Mullins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As Senator Ó Clochartaigh noted, this is an important meeting. I am concerned that recognising the Traveller community as an ethnic minority would be a backward step given the integration that has taken place over the years. I worked previously in the personnel department of a business where I hired members of the Travelling community who integrated very well into the workforce. They made such a fine contribution that most colleagues did not even realise they were from the Traveller community. If we recognise Travellers as an ethnic minority, will we not further polarise matters? Will people view Travellers as different and want to treat them differently?