Liam Twomey (Fine Gael)

We should always be realistic with regard to what we say in this Chamber. As a politician and a doctor, I have had a great deal of contact with the Traveller community. If there is one thing I admire about members of this community, it is that they say things as they are and are not disposed to the patronising "we know what is best for you" attitude displayed towards them. There was a certain element of the latter in the Minister of State's contribution. He talked down to members of the Traveller community and stated that all the recommendations of the 1996 report were implemented. If that is the case, why will we be obliged to concentrate our attention on resolving problems within the Traveller community in the coming years?

The Minister of State said that the provision of funding has failed to achieve the required outcomes. Basically, he admitted that the Government has failed utterly to achieve any of its objectives in the context of catering for the needs of the Traveller community. That is the way members of the Traveller community like to hear about matters.