Ms Jeanne McDonagh:

I will respond first to that. The absolute ideal might be a little idealistic, but it should be that one is in employment because one wants to be in employment and one just happens to be a Traveller, a woman or a person with disability. However, one is there, first and foremost, on merit as a good employee. It is very important to get the mindset across to recruiters, employers and people who are already in the workforce that people deserve a chance and deserve to be there on merit because they bring something to the workplace, to their colleagues and to the work. I would like to see a situation where if the fact that one is a Traveller arises, it is in light of a discussion, such as saying: "That is interesting; tell me a little more about yourself". I recognise that this is the ideal, but it should be by the way, and not just because, if that makes sense. A great deal of work has to be done to achieve that, as well a great deal of education and learning and a lot of confidence building for the Traveller community themselves. I do not know when that will be, but the will should be there and very practical steps must be taken to achieve that. The work of this committee will be important in driving that home, that it is not a talking shop but an action shop and something good comes out of all this.