Lynn Ruane (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Our deliberations are on the legislation, but I wonder about the wider criminal justice system. How do we set that up in a way that makes this Bill do what is set out in its provisions? How will the Bill be reflected in our structures? Do the witnesses think there is a need to set up specialist hate crime units within An Garda Síochána? What type of training will be needed? Do we need performance indicators at that level of reporting? What about the handling of discriminatory incidents and the levels of satisfaction with the police? Institutions can have a huge amount of prejudice, racial bias and all of that. Reporting a racial incident to the police can be an issue. The Traveller community often struggles in its relationships with the police and how it is viewed by the police. Maybe Ms Liston and Mr. Collins can comment on what they feel the relationship will be like and what needs to happen so that minority groups like Travellers and Roma will engage. Do we need racial awareness training or specialised people to take complaints involving hate crime or incitement to hatred?