Dr. Robbie McVeigh:

There are two key points, with the first being commercial nomadism. The two most economically successful groups of Travellers I have seen are Rathkeale traders and Travellers in the United States. They are doing very well economically, although that does not mean other issues are not ongoing. The most striking thing about those in the United States was that the houses looked like something from Dallas. It is a simple way to describe them. The older Travellers we met thought it outrageous. Much money is being spent building massive houses but because these people are nomadic and on the road all the time, they are in the houses for about a month per year. There are internal dynamics in the community in that regard. Whatever stereotype people use about Travellers in the United States, it is not that they are poor, as they are very affluent. Commercial nomadism works for them and many of the Rathkeale families as well. The notion that it is over is not true and with other support, it might be developed.

At the same time, the Chairman is correct in suggesting that there are some categories of Travellers who will not be nomadic in the classical sense ever again. That does not stop them being Travellers and although nomadism is part of being a Traveller, it is not a definitive element. If anything Travellers without nomadism need much more support in integrating into the broader vision of multicultural Ireland which we spoke of earlier. It is fair to recognise that some Travellers are involved in anti-social activity at some points but so are some settled Irish people. I have heard arguments from Travellers in the North that there were no Travellers in the H-blocks on either side when the Troubles were ongoing. I do not think any Traveller can be held responsible for the economic crisis we are experiencing. Whereas individuals may sometimes behave negatively, that is true of all ethnic groups. Where people behave in such a way, the normal course of formal and informal legal sanctions take their place. It is no different for Travellers than for any other group.

I wanted to make a point earlier which is a nice way to begin to sum up. When asked about what we can do, there is a town some of us know very well in the North where the Tidy Towns competition is fetishised. It has always occurred to me that there is something striking in the absence of Travellers from the process. If somebody suggested there should be a halting site in the town, the first response would be that the town would never win the competition again. Politicians and others must start to rethink what this means, as a tidy town should have a proper provision for Travellers integrated into the community. At least for one year the competition might exclude towns without a proper provision for Travellers. At one level the town would be tidier if it did not have a halting site but we must rethink how we see Travellers and their place in society. It is an obvious way to do it.