Eileen Flynn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I just want to make sure to make it again, please. To believe that we are not being discriminatory is being part of the problem. For me, I am not, as I have tried my best to get these amendments put in.

I say to the Minister of State that I am in support of the Bill, 150%, but I am not in support of the three amendments which we submitted on behalf of the Irish Traveller movement and its members which were not accepted. I have lived it, breathed it. We have seen with the trespassing Act, and I can be told that that is not discrimination but it is also discrimination towards my community. Every piece of legislation on policy that we see that does not protect the Traveller community is discrimination towards our community, whether we like it or do not, end of story.

I stress that fact and I welcome that the Minister of State said he would speak to the senior Minister, Deputy Darragh O’Brien, around the protection of Travellers and I thank him for that.

I also say to the Minister of State that the Members of the Civil Engagement Group will be working in our Private Members’ time to bring something forward which will protect Travellers in local authority accommodation. I also want to put that on the record.

I do not mean to cause offence to any Senator in the House, to be fair. During the length of time that I have been here, which is two and half years, and the Senator can nod her head all she wants because she is not a member of the community-----