Eileen Flynn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I call for a debate on Traveller accommodation on the back of Fianna Fáil's Bill in Private Members' time yesterday to protect land. Not once did I hear yesterday in this House any Senator speak about protecting people who have no choice but to live or stay on the Curragh of Kildare. Not once have I heard the Minister for housing, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, propose a solution for the people living on the Curragh of Kildare without any sustainable facilities. I know the Leader's heart is in the right place, and this is not me pulling out the Traveller card - far from it. What I am saying is that we need to have a debate with this Fianna Fáil Minister. When we talk about land and protecting lands, we always have to put people first. For me, the question is what the alternative solution is for people living right now on the Curragh. What is the Government's solution? I ask the question not of the Leader but of the Minister. It is regrettable I was not here yesterday. We should have a debate as soon as possible in this House on Traveller accommodation off the back of Senator O'Loughlin's Bill yesterday.