Ms Bridget Kelly:

I thank Deputies Ó Cuív and Collins for the points they made in respect of Traveller accommodation. To follow on from what Deputy Ó Cuív said, there has been report after report and much research has been carried out in regard to Traveller accommodation. The Traveller community is one of the most over-analysed and researched communities in the context of accommodation. As Deputy Ó Cuív noted, there is no point in producing these reports and research if we are not going to see action. I acknowledge that the report on Spring Lane has just been released, as was mentioned, but unfortunately this is just one example of what is happening throughout the country. We have seen it at first hand, as Traveller representatives. We have been on the ground and seen the conditions that families are living in. This needs to be addressed because it is having a detrimental impact on the community, both mentally and as a breach of human rights, as I said earlier.

Deputy Ó Cuív raised the issue of legislation and made a good point when he asked what the point of having legislation is if there is no accountability or sanctions. It is not worth the paper it is written on. The other representatives before the committee and I believe the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998 needs to be strengthened such that all local authorities that do not meet their legal obligations in regard to the delivery of Traveller accommodation plans need to be held to account and sanctions put in place. Our community on the ground is sick to the teeth of being left behind when it comes to accommodation.

Deputy Ó Cuív mentioned the issue of voting. More Travellers need to vote and great work has been done, both locally and nationally, to encourage our community to vote, which is key. Our community has been let down so often by local authorities. They are disheartened and powerless and they ask what the point in voting is because it will not make any change. We need to see change from the Government in regard to improving the dire living conditions for members of our community. Implementation is the key and we need to see action.