David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have three points. I thank Mr. Dillon for his analysis. He is spot on. When I was talking about discrimination, I was not referring to its genesis alone; I was more interested in why people discriminate today and why they feel fearful of a Traveller moving in next door or down the road. Where is that coming from? It is all very fine to say there is discrimination and so forth but unless we tackle why people act as they do in the first place, we will not address it. Are people fearful? Is there ignorance? Is there a lack of information? Is there something else going on? I am aware that there are theses being written on the subject, which is good to know.

I draw the witnesses' attention to the Open Doors initiative, which was set up recently to help people to gain and find pathways to employment. If the witnesses have not heard of the initiative, it might be useful to link with those concerned. They would have the same philosophy as the witnesses. The Irish Association for Social Inclusion Opportunities, IASIO, helps people to gain employment and offers support to people after they leave prison. I have a special interest in ensuring people who leave prison do not go back in again and instead find a pathway to fulfilment, for want of a better way of putting it.

I was a Minister of State for a bit but not any more. I just want to let the delegates know in case colleagues feel it matters. That is just a small point. I thank the delegates for their time. The discussion has been very interesting.