Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Socialist Party) | Oireachtas source

I support the amendment. I think it would be embarrassing if the Government did not accept this, which simply requests a facility for people to have an advocate. Some 24% of the people in my constituency are of non-Irish origin and a huge number of people on housing waiting lists are of non-Irish origin. These people have severe difficulties with language and also with accessing the bureaucracy of the local authority system. An increasing number of those with whom I come into contact are from African, eastern European and Asian backgrounds. These people need advocates. It should not be the case that advocates should be a councillor or Deputy. I am sure we all have enough to do. However, in some cases it must be one of these. The right to an advocate should be recognised as a right. I am sure advocacy is facilitated by many authorities, but perhaps not all.

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