Dáil debates

Tuesday, 3 November 2015

Travellers' Rights: Motion [Private Members]

 

9:25 pm

Photo of Brian StanleyBrian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

As my time is brief, I will try to focus on the key points I wish to make. The Carrickmines disaster provides an opportunity to face up to this issue once and for all. The sight of ten people, two families, perishing in that fire to be followed by two extended families becoming homeless and not having anywhere to go means we really must look at ourselves as a society and wonder how we got here. Moreover, we must get out of that position. The situation in Carrickmines highlights the precarious nature of Traveller accommodation. While much of it is temporary in nature, there are simple things that can be done such as putting in place proper fire screens, having fire safety equipment on site and putting in place proper measures to make sure the men, women and children who are living on sites, be they transient or permanent sites, are safe. Safety must be the issue for everyone and this includes Travellers.

On the all-Ireland forum that Sinn Féin proposes, one thing I have learned in my adult life is that sometimes, when one does not know people, one can have huge suspicions about them and so on. However, I make this point to both the Traveller and the settled communities, when people come together and get to know one another and to understand one another, it helps to break down those barriers. If one good thing comes from the Carrickmines tragedy, I hope we can do that. It is a pity the Government intends to reject Sinn Féin's motion. The all-Ireland forum is the key and the beginning to trying to resolve this issue.

It would be great if we could get that up and running despite the Government's rejection of this motion.

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