Ms Mary Brigid McCann:

The “Big Fat Gypsy Weddings” programme did not do us any favours, particularly given we have young girls wanting to get married and go out and spend on dresses. I remember last year I was phoned for a radio interview about first communions and confirmations. In the pre-interview, I was talking about discrimination when it comes to celebrations, such as how we could not get a function room and other problems. I explained extended family is very good to us when organising communions, confirmations and there was a good sense of support among the community. The interviewer said that, while I was good on other subjects, this was not what they wanted on communions and confirmations. She wanted me to turn around to say we spend between €5,000 and €6,000 on such a thing. The reality is that many Travellers cannot afford to spend such amounts.

Supplementary welfare, including confirmation and first communion grants, has been cut. Many people, not just Travellers, in the area I know depended on them. They are now gone so people must go to moneylenders to get the few euro to get their children organised. When you have a family, you know the struggle you go through. Children want and want and never give. It is only what you can give them, so it is a struggle. I have experienced it. The programme certainly did not do us any favours and did not show the real-life stories of not being able to book a hotel or a function room. There are many other things out there. That is not what we want. A few years ago, a Minister spoke about lavish communions and the grants were stopped. It did not send out a very good message. I do not approve of them. They did not do us any favours as mothers.