Colette Kelleher (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome members and viewers who may be watching this meeting on Oireachtas TV to the meeting of the Joint Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community. I also welcome our visitors in the Gallery. The purpose of today's meeting is to begin our deliberations on the topic of Traveller health. We will meet representatives from Pavee Point, the National Traveller Women's Forum, Mincéir Whiden, the Kilmallock Traveller Women’s Group and the Traveller Primary Health Care Project, and officials from the Department of Health. I welcome Ms Brigid Quirke, Pavee Point; Ms Maria Joyce, National Traveller Women's Forum; Ms Kathleen Sherlock, Mincéir Whidden; Ms Nora Mooney, Kilmallock Traveller Women’s Group; Ms Missie Collins, Traveller Primary Health Care Project; and Mr. Jim Walsh, principal officer, and Ms. Dairearca Ní Néill, assistant principal officer, from the drugs policy and social inclusion unit of the Department of Health.

We will hear of the gross and stark health inequalities that affect Travellers' health. The figures for life expectancy are mentioned in so many submissions, with a life expectancy of 66 years for Traveller men, which is 15 years less than the average, and 12 years less than average for Traveller women. Traveller babies are 3.6 times more likely to die in infancy than among the mainstream population and Traveller mortality in general is 3.5 times higher. In recent weeks, we have had the stark figures on suicide rates, which, of course, are part of health. Today, we are focusing on health more generally and we will move now to hear the submissions. As there are many witnesses, we will be strict about the five-minute rule because if some take seven minutes, the person at the end gets squeezed, which is not particularly fair. The clerk will remind us at the four-minute mark that the speaker has one minute left. It is very important that members have a chance to put questions to the witnesses and have a proper discussion and debate about this very important and stark set of health inequalities and disparities around Traveller health.

In accordance with procedures, I am required to draw attention to the fact that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. They are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given. They are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that members should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside of these Houses, or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.f

I remind members and witnesses to turn off their mobile phones or switch them to flight mode as they interfere with the sound system. I also wish to advise that any submissions or opening statements that witnesses have made to the joint committee will be published on the committee's website. After the presentation there will be questions from members of the committee.

I call Ms Kathleen Sherlock to make her opening remarks.