Ms Lisa Connell:

On the discussion about the public sector, I work for Fórsa trade union, which is the largest public sector union in the country. The conversation about the importance of a focus on employment in the public sector is important. We are aware that the public sector is where best practice exists. There are strong policies and procedures in place across the public sector. The benefit of those is that they are negotiated with the trade unions to ensure that our members are free from discrimination and disadvantage within the workplace.

It is important we ensure Travellers within the workplace are free from any potential discrimination in terms of their access into the public sector.

The trade unions are becoming a lot more comfortable with and aware of engaging with the public sector duty. The Irish Congress of Trade Unions has been particularly helpful in organising sessions on what the public sector duty looks like. It is important there are frameworks in place and we ensure they are implemented in our negotiations with employers within the workplace. Certainly the conversation on the public sector is important in terms of focus.