Timmy Dooley (Fianna Fail)

I thank Senator Norris for raising the incident involving Travellers in Ennis. Perhaps the Leader will arrange a debate on Travellers' rights. While I recognise the difficulties Travellers face in the Ennis region, their actions in recent days have brought difficulties to the people of Ennis who are grappling with the issue and handling it exceptionally well. I was proud of the people of Ennis and County Clare who turned out in their thousands yesterday to welcome the visiting delegations. The difficulties that arose earlier in the day were overcome by the evening. Rogue elements of the kind involved in this incident have no place and are not condoned by anybody. I agree with Senator Norris's remarks. It was an outrageous situation and an attempt to damage the reputation and the people of Ennis. Thankfully, it did not succeed.