Paddy Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

That will not be a problem. I will be brief. I thank Senator Currie for sharing time with me and I welcome the Minister of State. I also thank Senator Flynn for tabling the motion. This is an issue that we should keep on the agenda because it warrants further discussion.

I served on Mayo County Council's Traveller accommodation committee many moons ago. At the time, I proposed that two out of every eight local authority houses built should be for Travellers. That proposal was subsequently adopted by the council.

Much has been said about halting sites and Traveller accommodation. While I welcome the €21 million that will be provided, trading in scrap, batteries and so on by Travellers should be accommodated. Such trading should not be done on a halting site alongside Traveller accommodation. The two should be kept separate. I ask that the Minister of State liaise with the local authorities to provide space somewhere for Travellers who need to trade in those wares.