Mr. Bernard Joyce:

I thank the Deputy for the question and the line of questioning as well. It should really be about holding people to account for their anti-Traveller rhetoric. The Deputy mentioned sanctions, it is about ensuring those in public office adhere to standards and ensuring that there are protocols in the political parties, but also with the electoral commission, to ensure such behaviour does not go unnoticed. People should be requested to refrain from any elements of rhetoric or commentary in their electioneering. All of this can be done in a very dignified and respectful manner, where canvassing is concerned. People certainly do not have to push communities which are already on the margins out further to try to gain votes from it. That has happened time and time again. It also diminishes the status of the political establishment and the ability of communities like the Traveller community and others to have confidence in it. There must be strong sanctions around removing those who are canvassing for local or general elections. The sanctions must be very strong to hold people to account and in some cases even to remove people from the elections if their rhetoric is directed towards any particular community.