Eileen Flynn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank our witnesses. I also thank the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission for its very honest and blunt report and findings. I know on a personal level that some of that was very challenging for the commission. There are many questions I would love to ask today but, unfortunately, I cannot do so.

I know how difficult it is for members of the Traveller community to bring cases relating to equality and human rights. I have attempted to bring three such cases. I brought one of them to court and the judge stated I did not look like a Traveller and, therefore, my human rights and equality rights were not breached and I was not given access to the pub because I just basically was not. I refer to the issue of power. A significant amount of work needs to be done on legal aspects. I tried to bring a case against a local authority. My father was dying of cancer and I sought services in the context of the Traveller sector. It did not work. This discussion brings me back to those parts of my life. It is so difficult for members of the Traveller community to take these cases forward. It is about accommodation. Dr. McDonagh rightly stated it is about water and suitable and appropriate houses and trailers for members of the Traveller community. A significant amount of work needs to be done.

I really hope that, with the publication of No End in Site and the recent work of IHREC, the work that is needed will get under way. If the Government is not going to listen to Travellers, I hope with all my heart it will listen to IHREC, or even the individuals and organisations in Europe that work along with IHREC, and take this matter seriously. Last week, I issued a press statement calling on the Government, those who sit at the Cabinet table, to release a statement in respect of the findings and how the State will address those findings. There has been no response yet to that call but I hope there will be a response.

On behalf of the committee, I thank the representatives of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission for coming before us. I also thank the representatives of the Free Legal Advice Centres. We need honesty. We need to have more of this type of discussion because Travellers have been failed for many years by the State. I will send on my questions. I again thank our witnesses.

As there is no other business, the meeting stands adjourned until 12.30 p.m. on Thursday, 23 September 2021.