Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The Minister for Education and Skills, in fairness to him, has been willing to answer questions on Traveller children and education. Why is the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, who holds a very honoured title in the Government, nationally and internationally, refusing to answer a question about Travellers and culture. It is a very simple question. It is an insult that she would refuse to take it. I have no problem with Minister of State, Deputy Stanton, who is dedicated to the work he does for Travellers, but this House, as a collective, recognised Travellers as a separate ethnic group in March 2017. It was one of the proudest days in this House and the Visitors Gallery was filled with people from the Traveller community. A significant member of the Cabinet refuses to take a question, notwithstanding the fact the Minister of State said twice or three times that she is responsible for the budget in respect of Travellers and culture.

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