Ms Bríd O'Brien:

There are a number of issues that need to be addressed but one I want to raise with this committee, as the enterprise, trade and employment committee, is the issue of discrimination. I am conscious it is often employers and enterprises that come before the committee. It is a reality in our labour market. We tend to sidestep it, not want to discuss it and therefore are failing to address it. That is an issue. Recently, I was at a meeting where there were two Travellers working in a Traveller organisation who were talking about their own and their family members' experience of employment and seeking employment.

It is that whole challenge of having to hide your identity if you wish to be successful, which people should not have to do. There are other people who sometimes feel they need to do that because of their sexual orientation. People with non-visible disabilities often feel under pressure to do that. They are fearful that if they raise it at any stage, it will go against them. Unfortunately, there are plenty of experiences where, when others become aware or if something happens, people find themselves pushed out the door. The issue of discrimination has to be addressed, particularly when it comes to the employment of Travellers and Travellers getting an opportunity to get the good jobs. Also, very often, it is community-based organisations that are critical to that first step for people, be they Travellers, people who have a disability, young people or people who care-----