Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Government has a strong record in trying to change the conversation on the relationship between Travellers and the settled community. The former Taoiseach, Deputy Enda Kenny, made a very emotive and powerful speech here when we recognised Traveller ethnicity in Ireland.

Since then, the Minister of State, Deputy David Stanton, to his credit, has followed words with actions in regard to a new national Traveller and Roma inclusion strategy, and we have followed through in terms of significant increases in budgets to be able to implement that strategy.

This is a vulnerable ethnic community in Ireland. Those of us who have the responsibility of office, or those of us who want the responsibility of office, should in my view show leadership and generosity in terms of trying to improve and change the narrative that Travellers are often subject to.

See this speech in context