Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State indicated that there is no question of the Government entertaining any suggestions that members of the Traveller community should be regarded as anything less than equal participants in modern Irish society. Many of the members of that community to whom I talk and with whom I deal on a daily basis are of the view that this is not the case. They believe that people do not take them seriously when they raise particular issues.

In the context of action being taken, a further three houses belonging to Traveller families have been burned down. Those families were genuinely on the housing list. Nobody has yet been charged in respect of the commission of these three horrendous crimes. I ask the Minister of State to ensure that action will be taken to protect these citizens and to uphold their rights. Will his party be taking action in respect of the comments made by some of its local councillors who have been involved in stirring up emotions in respect of this issue? The actions of those individuals have led to some of these attacks taking place. There is no point in Fine Gael washing its hands of this issue. People are stirring up emotions and then other misguided individuals become involved and commit acts of violence. That is completely unacceptable.

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