Dáil debates

Thursday, 3 March 2022

Committee Report on Key Issues Affecting the Traveller Community: Statements

 

When John Hume accepted the Nobel Peace Prize, he said:

This is what we want as Travellers. This is what we all want in Irish society. We cannot continue to deny opportunities to people within communities and we cannot deny opportunities to the Traveller community because that has been done for generations. Now it is time for us all to move forward together. We have to let bygones be bygones and we need to move forward together. All of us in both Houses must take responsibility for ensuring the recommendations become action. People who know me on a personal level will be aware that I come from a family of wheeling and dealing, if you like, at markets and so on. We would always ask, "Would you put your name to it?" if we were about to buy or do something. My question to every Deputy present in this House is: will they put their names to this report? Will they put their names to these 84 recommendations, or even just to the four I spoke about today in this House? The work is not over; it is just beginning. Let us build on that. It is as great as all of our dreams allow. We all have the answers; it is about implementation. Travellers play an equal part of Irish society. This Parliament has been here for 100 years and now it has a member of the Traveller community. We are moving towards a better Ireland for everybody but it needs to be a more inclusive Ireland. The money is there. It is about implementation and changing people's lives. Let us be the Dáil and Seanad for a better change. Let us be part of that better change by making sure Travellers have a better future. We in the Traveller community do not have the power; the Government has it. For decades, Travellers have been failed as a community. It can no longer continue. I hope with all my heart that it will no longer continue.

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