Malcolm Noonan (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Like the other members, I with the Cathaoirleach the best and congratulate him on his appointment. I look forward to working with all members, including Senator Flynn who did stellar work in this previous committee in the previous Dáil. It is a great privilege for the Travelling community to have a Traveller Senator elected again to Seanad Éireann. While we have to focus on the challenges facing the Travelling community, it is important too that we look towards where the opportunities lie in celebrating Traveller culture. I think particularly of music, song, language, craft and all of that. One of the elements of breaking down barriers has to be that celebration of Traveller culture. We had a fantastic event in Kilkenny on Monday to celebrate Traveller Pride Week 2025. During my time as Minister of State, I put funding in place for the Heritage Council to appoint a heritage officer whose dedicated role was to work with the Traveller and Roma communities and other minorities. One of the heritage week events was dedicated specifically towards that. There are opportunities here as well. There is no doubt that there has been progress in Traveller welfare, education and health over recent years but it is not fast enough. I suggest this committee also focus on opportunities to celebrate Traveller culture. Again, I look forward to working with everyone in the years ahead.