Mr. Patrick Reilly:

There were many questions in a short time. On the young Traveller who wants to be a garda, it is important that he follows his dreams and achieves it. For Travellers to see him in that position would be positive and uplifting. The issue of segregated employment was mentioned and reference was made to meeting Travellers where they are at. It is about more than meeting Travellers where they are at. This is about not leaving them where they are at. We support targeted employment but we want to see Travellers in mainstream employment. Mr. Hogan and Ms Sherlock mentioned that one size does not fit all. We have to be careful when we speak about treating everyone equally because in doing so we could do more harm than good. I have a form with me today, a copy of which I will circulate later to everyone to complete. Travellers who left school early and cannot read and write will walk away from completing forms. I am not an expert when it comes to employment, but I am an expert on me and the issues that face Travellers. Travellers want to work, some of them as farriers working with horses. Travellers love horses. Not all Travellers want to be in suits and coats, which is fair enough, but we would like to see a targeted approach to mainstream employment for Travellers.