Eileen Flynn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

This is why we need this special Traveller committee. There is a hell of a lot of stereotyping out there towards my community. The "them" and the "they" are us. We are all part of Irish society and we should all be treated as of equal value. As a Senator I am hoping to engage other members of the Traveller community, bring them with me and empower them. As a member of the Traveller community I think we have this ideology in our head that Travellers should employ Travellers and that Travellers should work in the Traveller NGOs. That is not treating the community fairly. We need equality of opportunity to be able to be successful in the employment sector.

Senator O'Sullivan is correct that many members of the Traveller community have their own businesses, but they are not big businesses. They involve one or two men or one or two women. We have to break down those stereotypes. While I am privileged to be a Senator, I do not have to be extreme, get down and kiss the Taoiseach's feet and thank him so much for nominating me when I play an equal part in society. It is the same way for members of the Traveller community who want to seek employment. We want to be employed because we want to do the job. We are not just members of the Traveller community. It is really important to make this statement today. That is my response to some of what Senator O'Sullivan said. I will now hand over to the witnesses to give their feedback to him. Ms Corcoran can start as Senator O'Sullivan was very interested in Bounce Back Recycling, so it would be interesting to hear from her.