Eileen Flynn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for taking the time to come here and listen to our concerns about the Bill. Today is World Suicide Prevention Day. If I had not learned the importance of these social connections from living in rural Ireland for the past two years, as a Traveller woman I would probably not be so supportive of the pubs reopening. Publicans are not always very nice to the Traveller community. However, I will do the right thing and support their reopening on 21 September.

I live in Donegal and I support the reopening of rural pubs, but I have some fears around this Bill. I refer to people living in apartments above pubs. If there are six people living in a residence above a pub, how will they be affected by the provisions of the Bill? If possible, I would also like the Minister's word that the Traveller community will not be impacted upon by the rules relating to gatherings of six people in houses. Even though I am a Senator, last night I was in a house with ten people who are all members of my family. That is how the Traveller people live. I was not breaking any rules or regulations. How do we protect people from the Traveller community living on halting sites and other ethnic minority groups with big families?

I would also like a discussion on how discrimination and racism affects the pre-booking of pubs. If more than six Traveller people are looking to enter a pub, can the Minister guarantee that they will not be discriminated against because they are members of the Traveller community? It is great to reopen pubs and support publicans and young people who have jobs. I have seen that especially in Ardara in County Donegal. At the weekend, I went out for something to eat. I could see the sense of community and what pubs bring to communities, especially in light of the level of mental health difficulties among younger and older people in Ireland.My husband does not drink and he regularly went to the pub before Covid. While I support the pubs, I want to be sure that people will not be discriminated against and that there will be fair access for people from the Traveller community, Roma people and people of colour.