Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

My name is Jim O'Callaghan and I thank our guests very much for attending. They are very welcome.

The report from April 2014 was compiled by the previous committee.

This committee will stand by that report. I can understand the witnesses' frustration that it has not been implemented, specifically the recommendations contained in it.

On the general issue of Travellers, in my assessment there are five sets of statistics that are simply unacceptable from this State's point of view, namely, statistics in respect of infant mortality, education, unemployment, suicide and life expectancy in the Traveller community. To what extent do the witnesses believe that those serious problems in the Traveller community will be alleviated if recognition is granted, as previously recommended by the report?