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

I agree with Mr. Reilly. We have had this conversation in regard to Traveller issues three or four years ago at the committee. It seems like a broken record. It is shocking to hear statistic relating to the numbers of suicides in the Traveller community. It is beyond words, sometimes, how this can be happening. The State and the authorities are essentially allowing it to happen. It should not happen and it has to be addressed in a fundamental way, so that we do not have this conversation again in another three years. If the fundamental issues are not addressed then we will be having this conversation in three years. In that time, hundreds of men and women from a Traveller background will be dead. This is the sombre narrative we have to address collectively. Fair play to Mr. Reilly for that honest testimony.

I have one last question for Ms Kavanagh. It is on the report by the Ombudsman for Children on housing and living conditions in the Traveller community. The report stated that poor living conditions were exacerbated by Covid-19 and all that came with it. Would Ms Kavanagh like to comment on report in respect of Travellers’ mental health in the context of settings and accommodation?