Ms Ronnie Fay:

One of the challenges we face is the absence in the public domain of any rebuttal to our case for recognition of Traveller ethnicity. How can we make a counter argument when we do not know what argument is being made? We are arguing with one hand tied behind our back. It is Kafkaesque because it is as if we have been arrested, no charges have been laid and there will not be a trial. How can we respond?

The committee needs to hold the State to account by asking for an explanation of its failure to recognise Traveller ethnicity. We were told cost was the reason but that is not the case. We were then told it was a legal issue but that is not the reason either. We have rebutted any reasons that have been given and the onus can no longer be placed on us. If there is an argument, let us hear it and we will either make a counter-argument or not, although I am certain we will have an argument. There has never been a rebuttal of our case in the public domain.

We spoke about the importance of political leadership. A previous Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr. John O'Donoghue, recognised Travellers as an ethnic group when he launched a pack for us, and the former Ministers for Health and Children, Ms Mary Harney and Deputy Micheál Martin, did likewise. One must ask who is the permanent government and where is the opposition to recognition within it. As far as we can see, there are good people in the Department of Justice and Equality who are fighting for us on this issue. We do not know what is the argument against recognition because we have never been given one. This makes it difficult for us to make counter-arguments. I am being honest with the committee.