Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister for Education, Deputy Bruton, back to the House this afternoon. I congratulate and commend Senator Colette Kelleher on bringing this Bill forward and everyone else who fed into the process.

Fianna Fáil believes that Traveller culture should be an integral part of an intercultural curriculum and should be represented positively in each school. For far too long nothing has happened to make this a reality. In the wake of the 2017 recognition of Traveller ethnicity it is even more important that it be put on the curriculum.

Last year's recognition of Traveller ethnicity must now be matched by action. It is critical to ensure that the aspirations and ambitions of the Traveller community for the younger generations be realised in order that they can fully participate in society without discrimination or exclusion and with meaningful participation in employment, education and health and all other aspects of services and cultures in the State.

Travellers have been a major and unique part of our history. They are a significant, diverse and cherished element of wider Irish culture and society. There has, however, been an unavoidable history of misunderstanding and suspicion and - for far too often - a strained relationship between the rest of society and the ethnic community. When debating Traveller issues, it is an unfortunate truth that the most compelling inclination has been to debate the Traveller community in the context of strategy or as a challenge to society at large. It is imperative that we display respect for cultural difference within our overall identity, and understand that recognising the distinct ethnic identities of Irish people strengthens rather than undermines Irishness. In that context, Traveller culture and history should be part of the curriculum. Placing it on the curriculum would be a further positive recognition and would show that we know and appreciate that Travellers constitute a unique ethnic group in society. It would help by giving the Traveller community greater confidence and security and would be a very positive step in the right direction.

We need to foster conditions conducive to pluralism in society. We need to raise children's awareness of their culture and attune them to the fact that there are other ways of behaving and other value systems. We need them to develop respect for lifestyles that are different from their own so that children can understand and appreciate each other better. We need to foster a commitment to equality and enable children to make informed choices and take action on issues of prejudice and discrimination. We need to appreciate and value similarities and differences. We also need to enable all children to speak for themselves and articulate that they are the creators of their own destinies. Ultimately, we are trying to ensure that all children are treated equally and can achieve in life whatever they want to achieve.

I note Senator Martin Conway's contribution. I look forward to the Minister's response to the Senator's comment that while it is important to put this legislation on the Statute Book, a direction from the Minister and his Department to schools could result in immediate action being taken on the matter.

I congratulate Senator Kelleher on her great and continued work in this area. I welcome those in the Public Gallery today and I acknowledge their input into this process. Bualadh bos to all concerned.