Eileen Flynn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Cathaoirleach Gníomach. I also welcome the students from St. Joseph's College, Lucan. It is always brilliant to see young people in the House.

I am going to put a different spin on marking Europe Day. I would like all of us to look at this as a day of reflection, as Senator Chambers has already said. Ireland, as a small nation, has made our voice heard at the highest level during our 50 years in the EU. We have benefited from membership of the EU in many ways. The EU and the Council of Europe have been strong allies in keeping pressure on the State in respect of issues affecting the Traveller Community. The EU has highlighted in its reporting violations in Ireland around accommodation, education, health and other issues impacting on the Traveller Community. The EU has played a key role in Travellers being recognised as an ethnic minority group in Ireland. If Europe had not played such a key role, we still would not be recognised as an ethnic minority group. I wish to be clear about that.Europe has also provided Traveller organisations with valuable tools in some of our campaigns for equality. We still find ourselves waiting on the Irish State to deliver in many areas. I wonder whether there may be a further role for Europe in ensuring follow-up and accountability in areas of equality. When we think of the solidarity and unity the EU represents, we must make sure no one is left behind – not here, and not anywhere in Europe.

We have seen how quickly the EU can respond to a refugee crisis and I would like to see it extend that same welcome to all refugees and people seeking asylum who are fleeing war and violence. However, Roma women and children fleeing Russian aggression in Ukraine are still struggling to find homes. I read in The Guardianof a Roma woman who fled to Poland with her son’s wife and her adult daughter. They had seven children between them. She said: "I just wish landlords would meet with us before they reject us". The women have been able to find work but not homes. Roma refugees face not just a lack of support; they also face discrimination. That is not fake news. From talking to Pavee Point, we know violence against Roma communities is rising across Europe. The Roma community in Ireland also reports high levels of discrimination. We cannot allow this. When we talk about European unity we must mean everybody, including Roma and Traveller people.

On Europe Day this year, it is important to reflect on the Conference on the Future of Europe, which has just ended. My colleague Senator Higgins was proud to be one of four representatives of the Oireachtas at the conference. The Civil Engagement Group recommends that we have a debate on the outcomes of the conference in the Seanad over the next few coming weeks, while it is hot on the agenda, to discuss the recommendations on how to live together as Europeans in the future. We need to look at the implementation of the recommendations from the conference etc. We talk about being proud members of Europe but we also have a responsibility to make sure this includes all people of Europe. No person from the Roma community should be treated wrongly or in an ill manner at borders.