Ms Maureen Ward:

Cathaoirleach, Senators and fellow Travellers and Roma community members, I am a proud Irish Traveller woman. I hold the position of interim co-ordinator with Minceirs Whiden. I am honoured to have been invited by the Cathaoirleach to address the committee on the issue of racism and discrimination against Irish Travellers.

I would like to begin my address by stating that, as a Traveller and someone who has spent many years on the front lines as a human rights activist, I believe the general attitude of Irish society towards Travellers is much better today than it was in the past. While that is a welcome development, however, all of us here today can recognise that there is still much more to be done. We still live in a society where many Travellers feel the need to conceal their identity from employers, teachers, friends and even spouses because they fear the repercussions of revealing their heritage.

This fear is certainly a legitimate one to hold. We are all aware by now of the role that racist bullying played in the suicide of young Patrick McDonagh, may he rest in peace, the young 12-year-old Traveller whose heartbreaking story was the focus of a documentary aired on RTÉ 1 early this year or late last year. That groundbreaking documentary successfully touched the hearts of thousands of people in Ireland, granting many, perhaps for the first time, an inside look into our community’s struggle against racism and discrimination. However, the sad reality is that derogatory slurs against Travellers are still openly used by people today and we have even seen cases of businesses refusing service to Travellers. This should not be acceptable in the 21st century. The Traveller community has been subjected to marginalisation, stereotypes, and injustices through many years.

Our unique cultural heritage, traditions and way of life are still too often met with disdain, misunderstanding, and sometimes even outright hostility. Discrimination has historically resulted in unequal access to accommodation, healthcare, education and employment opportunities. While progress has been made, the harsh reality is that many Travellers continue to face barriers and prejudice that deny us the dignity and equality we deserve as fellow citizens of the State. Nevertheless, amid these challenges, I remain steadfast in my belief in a brighter future where every individual, regardless of background, is afforded the respect and dignity they deserve, and we do deserve it. As we all gather today in this great hall of democracy, I believe it is necessary to acknowledge that the fight against racism and discrimination is work that must be done by everyone. Everybody, not just Travellers, needs to be part of it. It is work that requires collective effort and determination from all members of Irish society.

As a proud member of the Traveller community, I call on the committee, as legislators, to uphold the foundational principles of equality that are key to the Irish State and to enact laws that protect the rights and dignity of all individuals, regardless of their ethnicity, culture or social status. Legislative measures alone are not enough. We must also work tirelessly to challenge the prejudices and stereotypes that fuel racism and discrimination in our society. This requires fostering greater understanding, empathy, and respect for the diversity of human experiences, including the rich cultural heritage and traditions of the Traveller community. It also demands meaningful engagement and partnership with Traveller organisations and community leaders, who are best placed to articulate our community’s needs, aspirations, and solutions.

Before I finish I acknowledge and thank Minceirs Whiden’s national development worker, John Boyle, for helping me put this together so I would not go off on a tangent giving out about anyone. In closing, let us remember the fight against racism and discrimination is not a sprint but a marathon, one that requires courage, determination and solidarity between Travellers and settled people. It is a journey we must embark on together, as individuals, as communities and as a nation. It is a journey that we cannot afford to abandon until every person, regardless of their background or identity, can live free from fear, prejudice and discrimination. I thank the Cathaoirleach, Senator, Deputies and fellow Travellers and Roma community present for listening patiently to me. I am glad I did not go too much off topic.