Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Senator raised a specific point about a report in the Irish Independentwhich I have not seen. If any Senator has an issue with any such report, it would be best to take it directly to the newspaper concerned. Senator Mooney also supported Senator MacSharry on the fracking issue.

Senator Mullen raised the issue of Traveller ethnicity. The Senator did not refer to the report the justice committee produced which made a unanimous recommendation for the recognition of Traveller ethnicity. The Minister of State, Deputy Ó Ríordáin, has done a huge amount of work on trying to make progress on the recommendation. I am puzzled by the Senator's suggestion that some Traveller groups or representatives do not seek, or are not supportive of, a declaration of ethnicity. Based on the hearings and consultation the justice committee conducted, there is clear support for a declaration of ethnicity.