Eileen Flynn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am seeking a debate on Traveller accommodation. The Traveller committee is launching an interim report on the Traveller caravan loan scheme. I would like a discussion in the House on this. I would also like a wider discussion on illegal camping and what it means for people who are on lands. In 2000 Travellers were banned from travelling with the trespass legislation that stopped us being Travellers, hence our name. On the piece of legislation that was brought through by Senator O'Loughlin, the Curragh amendment, what people are going to be impacted by the term "illegal camping"? What is the solution for those people? I know that yesterday the Leader said that it is not about the Traveller community and that the amendment was not focused on the Traveller community. For too many years State discrimination and State policies have kept down the Traveller community.

I spoke to Traveller organisations yesterday after our discussion in the House. The organisations also support the idea of a debate in this House with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, to discuss the Traveller caravan loan scheme and accommodation related to Travellers living in trailers and how we protect the people who use the Curragh. I know that I missed the opportunity to debate the specific amendment but I want a broader discussion because I do not want State policy to keep down the Traveller - note the word - community.