Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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I thank Senator Flynn. She is a force of nature. She made sure we were all very well aware of this meeting happening and encouraged us all to attend. I am delighted to be here. I represent the Social Democrats in the Kildare North constituency.

There is a cliché, and clichés serve a purpose, that you cannot be what you cannot see. The fact that Senator Flynn is here is important but it is not enough on its own and that has been said. However, it is an important breakthrough. Traveller issues have been much more to the fore because Senator Flynn has been here. That is testament to the importance of that continuing and expanding. I take the point Mr. Martin Collins made about people contesting elections. That is absolutely the case, but people should also put their names on the electoral register because when people take out the electoral register to go and canvas and so on, they are acutely aware of where they are going to go. If there are whole areas that do not have people on the electoral register, they do not get the attention they need. That is the kind of thing that should be encouraged. It is basic but it is important with respect to the political system.

The political system is often complicated and difficult to understand and people switch off. That is so for the vast majority of people. The more you understand of the system, the more you can engage with it. Sometimes electoral politics is not for people, but understanding the system is important to make sure people can engage, lobby and make sure their voices are heard.

The point that was made about education is important as it is the route out. I am acutely aware of, for example, the statistics on health outcomes and the deplorable suicide rates. When you start looking at such things, you have to look at the origins. It is not them alone. Why are they happening? You have to go back to the cause rather than focusing on what could be described as a symptom. It is important that those issues are addressed, not only when they end up being flashpoints. They need to be addressed in a strategic way, with the community and not on behalf of or for it. If you do not have that kind of input, you are not addressing the issues in the way they need to be addressed. It is important that there is that kind of deeper engagement.

It is a pleasure to have the witnesses here and have this opportunity. I hope we will see more people like Senator Flynn in the Seanad, the Dáil and in council chambers. There will be an opportunity in a few weeks to see some of those breakthroughs.