Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am very pleased to be a member of her all-party Oireachtas committee on Traveller issues. Sometimes it is not possible to get to the meetings, but the collaborative work being done by representatives from all parties is very welcome and I commend her on it. She has taken the lead on the issue. It makes us all examine what we are doing in terms of assisting her and reflecting it in our communities and societies and here in the House. I urge the Minister of State to continue to provide funding for Traveller-specific accommodation. I remind local authorities of their responsibilities in this regard. This has been a good engagement so far and I have no doubt it will be one of many engagements we will have on the issue. Senator Boyhan has been a member of the Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government for a long time. I joined it six months ago. I have no doubt the committee has already had engagement examining the issue of Traveller accommodation and I have no doubt it will feature heavily in our work programme.