Eileen Flynn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

It was remarkable for me to be at yesterday's event as the first serving Member from the Traveller community. I will not be liked for saying this but it is important to speak truth to power. It was a little embarrassing that no minority voices were heard yesterday. That is coming from someone from an ethnic minority group. I flagged this a few times but as my mother would say, "You can bring a horse to water but you cannot make him drink it". To be clear it was not about me as a person but if we are marking minority voices and major change, it was a pity. The House needs to consider that if we are going to be talking about minorities and have people from minority groups in the Seanad, we need to give them the opportunity. What I would have said yesterday, standing on the shoulders of great individuals such as Mary Robinson and Senator Norris, was what this House can do and achieve for people from ethnic minority groups. I thank the Cathaoirleach for his support over the past two and a half years. He made my time with the Civil Engagement Group in this House much easier and he is proactive. I thank him for all his support but I also need to say that. As I will not speak again on the Order of Business this week, I wish to thank the Taoiseach for being part of major change in Irish society, breaking down the barriers for people from minority groups and giving this opportunity for people like me, which was the title of Senator Ruane's book, to be here. I thank him for that, and all my colleagues for their support over the years. I know I was critical of yesterday but it needs to be said in order that we can do better going forward.