Eileen Flynn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

We all need to be mindful of our language in this House, as do our colleagues in the Dáil. I will not repeat any of what was said last week because doing so is not the answer and will only ensure more people hear it. My mother used to say that you can tie a knot with your tongue that you are not able to open with your hands. She meant by this that people can get themselves into big positions where others are looking to them to be a leader and they should not use inappropriate language.

Many members of my community live in nasty accommodation, if that is the right word, due to a lack of services. Many of them felt there was a comment made in the Dáil last week to the effect that people living in trailers or caravans are not respected.I would like the Tánaiste to reflect on his actions last week in the Dáil and, most importantly, to be mindful going forward of the poor people in our society.

While I have the opportunity, I will say to every Member of the House that they may not be anti-Traveller and stand up and be anti-Traveller here in the Seanad or in the Dáil, but we see it on their social media pages, their Twitter accounts and Facebook accounts. It is inappropriate in this day and age for any Senator or Deputy to be coming out and stirring up hatred online. I do not know what we can do about it in the House because, obviously, it happens outside the House and they will not come in and make such comments in here because, of course, there are rules and regulations against it. Again, times are changing and they should not be using inappropriate language and stirring up hatred on social media if they are representing this House or the Dáil. We all know about freedom of speech and we do not have to get into it, but hate speech or stirring up hatred is not freedom of speech.

On another note, on the Order of Business in recent weeks, I have been looking for the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to come to the House for a debate around ending direct provision. As we know, the White Paper was launched over a year ago. I understand the Leader put in a request but, unfortunately, I have not heard anything back. It would be good to have a debate before the recess around ending direct provision because we are at such a critical point and, as we know, hotels are full and people are living in dire accommodation. I would like to know where we stand with that.