Mr. Bernard Joyce:

I agree with the commentary by Ms Brack. It is probably a broader piece with regard to civil society, democracy, transparency and accountability. I suppose that is why we are here in the Houses of the Oireachtas because transparency and accountability have to lie here and have to have some function. It also lies with the political establishment and the Government and Minister of the day.

There has to be a level of transparency and accountability to drive, deliver and show confidence in addressing a crisis in an amenable, constructive way with the community. That needs to happen.

On the Cathaoirleach's question on whether things have changed around Travellers since Carrickmines, when we talk to people on the ground and see people in horrendous living conditions, it is nearly becoming intergenerational. People are living in poor accommodation and that accommodation remains poor for generations. Things are not getting significantly better as regards overcrowding and homeless figures. You just have to look at the stats and figures. More people are looking for accommodation and demand has increased. That is an indictment in terms of where Travellers and the priorities of the State are. Unless the expert report and its key recommendations - I am a member of the expert group along with other key stakeholders - are carried out and implemented in full in the spirt in which they were intended, we will not see many changes. The national accommodation authority is the one strand as regards transparency, accountability and oversight.

We also have to get beyond that. It is very important there is a commitment at local level and that we are working on the same page with local authorities in ensuring accommodation is improved and targets and timelines are in place. We do not see that. We do not see, for example, a targeted measure stating how many Traveller families are without basic facilities in Ireland and that by year one, two or three, that will be eliminated and nobody on this island, regardless of their identity or culture, will be without water, electricity and sanitation. That is just a simple thing to do. We can then move into the bigger areas of provision of accommodation and redevelopments.

I am trying to call it out for what it is. The situation is actually significantly worse than it was. Some steps have been taken, but it is far worse.