Tom Barry (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this motion. First, I would like to be associated with extending condolences to the Lynch, Gilbert and Connors families. The fire that occurred was such a tragic event that it is difficult to find the words to speak about it. Everybody has been touched by this dreadful event and hopefully this debate will help to focus on the issues and some good might ensue from it.

I welcome the new national Traveller and Roma inclusion strategy which will be in place by 2016. This is a move in the right direction and I will return to this issue later. Communication on this issue is vital. However, I do not agree with the attempt to define the Traveller community as a separate ethnic group. Society is now an open, tolerant society and our cities are now multicultural and multi-religious. This is fantastic. We have become a melting pot of different cultures and religions and are an example to much of the world as to how countries should progress. In that regard, I do not like the creation of artificial divides and labels. I see no benefit to that and believe that what might sound like a good idea, may have unforeseen consequences in the longer term. Therefore, I would prefer to deal with the issues than to create further labels.

I dislike the powerful word that keeps cropping up, which has been used tonight. That word is "racism" and it is used far too frequently. It stifles discussion. People have fears, but the "racism" ticket should not be pulled out each time someone disagrees with another. It ruins discussion and is unfair on both the Traveller and settled communities. If I had my way, that word would not be part of this discussion. We need a more frank and honest approach.

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