Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Thursday, 22 February 2024

Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community

Traveller Accommodation: Discussion (Resumed)

Mr. Tony Smithers:

I apologise but I left one thing out and I like to be thorough. I am sorry for holding the Cathaoirleach up. She is right in what she is saying. Traveller families should not have to police their own estates or where they live. That is why we have incorporated a specific project estate officer to deal with antisocial behaviour, liaise with the community and implement DCC's policies in this regard.

That person is a dedicated staff member who deals with those issues. Traveller families can speak in confidentiality. They can come to us through a third party if they have permission to do that and we will take those complaints and investigate those matters. If they are of a bigger criminal nature, we will then ticktack with the relevant bodies on those. Is that fair?