Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

First, I thank and commend all of the groups on both their written and oral submissions on this process. It has made a major contribution to many of the new ideas. We all want to reform, make changes and do things right. Personally, I really appreciate all of the submissions made today, because they constitute a major and valuable contribution.

I will start with Ms Quilligan from the Irish Traveller Movement, because she raises an important issue on which we should focus - that is, the issue of trust between the Traveller community and the Garda. In her submission, Ms Quilligan mentioned that 53% of Travellers were not satisfied with the Garda and 22% were extremely dissatisfied. Obviously there is a significant disconnect, and we as Members of the Oireachtas, those representing Travellers and the Garda must deal with this issue, because it is significant.

Ms Quilligan also mentioned in her submission the local Traveller inter-agency committees. Are these having an impact and has Ms Quilligan any ideas about how we can improve on that trust as part of this process of reform of the Garda?