Mr. Bernard Joyce:

It is an important question. The courts system is an intimidating and challenging place for people, in terms of barristers, lawyers, judges, etc. It is very far removed from the ordinary person's experience. Even the way people dress in the High Court system is very intimidating. There is an elite system in place, which I think is ridiculous in some ways. It is so far removed from the ordinary person's experience, and it does not need to be like that. At the same time, on the question of whether training is needed, it absolutely is needed. It needs to happen in the context of access, culture and Irish Travellers, who find themselves on the receiving end of the courts system and decisions that are made. In fact, looking at representation in the criminal justice system or civil law, Travellers end up coming out on the wrong end. It is a very uneven system. It is like David and Goliath. It is very much opposed to those who are on the fringes, marginalised or excluded. On top of that, currently, there is institutional discriminatory practice in place. Human rights bodies across Europe, such as the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, CERD, have made key recommendations. We have also made key recommendations in our submission on the type of training required for solicitors, barristers and judges.