Colette Kelleher (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I note that we will make history today in the Houses of the Oireachtas when statements will be made later on recognising and affirming Irish Travellers as a distinct and equal group of people in Irish society. Respect is at the heart of this recognition for a group of people who for too long have experienced prejudice and discrimination, as shown in shameful poor health, poor housing and poor education for Irish Travellers as was recently set out in stark terms by the Economic and Social Research Institute, ESRI.

All credit goes to the campaigners from the Traveller community who have worked for decades for recognition and have now succeeded. I acknowledge Members of the House who have been supportive of the Irish Traveller campaign for recognition, including Senators Pádraig Mac Lochlainn, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin and Martin Conway, as well as the Chairman and members of the justice and equality committee for their efforts. I also acknowledge the great leadership of the Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality, Deputy David Stanton, who has delivered on his promises. The Taoiseach will be on the right side of history tonight when he makes the historic statement.

While good history is being made today, I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for Health to the House to share with Members the lessons from the recent reports on the historical abuse of a woman we have come to know as Grace. While the commission of inquiry is deliberating, instead of statements of outrage, which all of us could make, perhaps the Minister would come to the House and outline what law, safeguards and protections are in place or are being put in place for the thousands of adults who might be vulnerable to abuse today, to ensure that such abuse is prevented and punished and that abuse and apparent cover-up never happen to people such as Grace again.