Jim Higgins (Fine Gael)

The Equal Status Act has now been on the Statute Book for over five years. The purpose behind it was to ensure equality of treatment for all sections of the community, particularly minorities, and end discrimination. It seems the pendulum has now swung in the other direction. I am talking, in particular, about the right of access of members of the Traveller community to public houses. Just over one week ago 11 campers arrived in my constituency in County Mayo. They were duly served in accordance with the legislation, refused to leave the premises and literally wrecked it. This has been an ongoing feature over the past two or three years. I attended a meeting of the Vintners Federation in Mayo the following night and heard complaint after complaint. In one case, a lady publican stated that when she had served a certain amount of drink to individuals, they refused to leave, saying "We'll redesign your place, Madam."

The situation in our county, in particular, has been appalling. There is an urgent need to revisit the legislation, consider it section by section in order and ensure that the pendulum swings equally on both sides. Publicans are very vulnerable, they have no right of protection and are totally exposed. We need to examine the legislation, as a matter of extreme urgency, because further tensions between the settled community and the Traveller community will arise unless we get the balance right.