Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

These are my observations. I want a positive message to come out of this meeting. The delegations will always have our solidarity. If there is anything practical members can do, we will do it. This is a good committee from which to start.

People need to change their minds to realise the Traveller community has as much a part to play as anybody else does in Ireland. I see the subtle stuff about Travellers that goes on in society with my own friends who are not bad people. Certain things they say about the Traveller community should not be said. These are the small things that become larger involving the institutionalisation of racism. The media has a part to play, as do politicians, the Traveller community and the settled community. If we do not deal with the smaller issues such as the constant humiliation of individuals and the Traveller community, we will have this conversation in another five and ten years’ time.

It is about resources. Is it correct that 30 people in the Traveller community have died through suicide this year?