Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Yes. They were very assistive. There are challenges but some progress is being made. A huge issue that we have not tackled to the extent that we would like is the justice system. As has been pointed out, if you go down to the Dóchas Centre you find there a disproportionate number of Travellers, most of whom are there because of poverty. They should not be there. What we really need to do is sort out the accommodation issues for the people there in order to sort out their lives. There are addiction issues, among others, that need to be sorted. We have a huge amount of work to do. We are not going to solve it all in this Dáil's term. We all recognise that, but l hope that when this Dáil's term is over, we leave it better than it was in the beginning.

I would also say to everyone here today that there are challenges for everybody getting into politics but there is one first step and that is to vote. There is no challenge in voting. In lots of constituencies, there are 1,000 or 2,000 Travellers. What would happen if they all voted? Nothing makes politicians sit up more than that kind of a block vote. I can guarantee the witnesses that is the case. I have seen that with other groups. When that vote is exercised, people do pay attention. I represent islands in my constituency and I am always amused at the amount of time politicians spend on the islands even though there are only 500 votes on the four islands in my constituency. There are a lot more Traveller votes. Therefore, they should start with that point and then aspire to politics and get involved either as Independents or with the political parties. I believe that Travellers can succeed. I am not saying it is going to be easy. We have got a duty, but the witnesses can make it a bit easier by wielding the power they have. We do need to look at other creative ways of ensuring proper Traveller representation, not only in the Oireachtas but in society in general.

I do not know if there is anybody here today from Rathkeale. I gave Rathkeale RAPID status due to the high level of deprivation, when I looked at the deprivation indices. There also happened to be a high number of Travellers in Rathkeale. The people of Rathkeale came to me and said they do not want Travellers on the area implementation team, AIT. Some people came to me. I am not saying that it was all the people of Rathkeale. I want to correct and withdraw that statement. Some people came to me and I said if that was their view I would accept it on the condition that it was the end of RAPID in Rathkeale. I said I would withdraw the offer. We do have huge challenges, but we are able to overcome them. This is an important day. It is all a credit to Senator Flynn.