Mr. Bernard Joyce:

I thank Senator Seery Kearney. Mr. Cummins's statement said there is a perceived view relating to racism. That is not correct. Within those types of statements there is an implicitness in terms of the institutionalised racism that has led us to this situation where children are living in some worst conditions in the world. Yet, there is no acknowledgement of the living experience of Travellers in this country. It is no wonder Travellers are calling for an independent agency to deliver Traveller accommodation. If local authorities cannot deliver, they should not be given responsibility for the provision of culturally appropriate accommodation.

We are not here to rehash the issues. Travellers are living the issues. We want to see solutions in terms of the delivery of culturally appropriate accommodation on this island. I cannot sit here and talk about the appalling conditions in which Travellers are living. The people responsible for the delivery of accommodation are the same people who are blocking that accommodation. As an Irish Traveller, I take personal offence at that. The OCO report highlights how Traveller children feel they are being forgotten and left behind. I do not know what part of the world people here are living in. If you go to Cork or to any Traveller site in this country, you will see the substandard, inhumane conditions in which Travellers are living. I ask the chief executive of the County and City Management Association, Mr. Cummins, and others to do that. I am appalled to hear the type of commentary I have heard today. It does nothing in terms of relationships or confidence in regard to the delivery of culturally appropriate accommodation. I am really angry about the comment made earlier by Mr. Cummins. I ask him to withdraw it. The evidence is there that Travellers experience discrimination in every aspect of Irish society. That has been said time and again. The commentary highlights the massive differences between the relationship between the local authorities and the Traveller community.

I appreciate Senator Seery Kearney giving me the opportunity to express that point.