Written answers
Thursday, 30 September 2010
Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs
Traveller Community
10:30 am
Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 308: To ask the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs with reference to the mediators put in place by his Department to deal with an illegal Traveller encampment issue at a location (details supplied), the reason this was done when the courts had already deliberated on same; the person who made the decision to engage mediators at this stage; the cost of the mediators; and the way that this cost being funded. [34161/10]
Mary White (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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My Department got involved in the process referred to by the Deputy as part of its remit in relation to mediation within the Traveller community.
The Traveller policy division of my Department received a telephone call from the Pavee Point Mediation Service on 20 May 2010 regarding an ongoing conflict between two Traveller families. Pavee Point Mediation Service expressed concern that a situation had arisen where there was a possibility of loss of life.
As a result of this telephone call, Traveller policy division facilitated a meeting to allow constructive dialogue to take place among all relevant parties. The meeting took place on 28 May 2010 with representation from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Dublin City Council, the GardaÃ, Pavee Point Mediation Service, Travact (a local Traveller CDP), Pobal, Parish of the Travelling People and the Traveller policy division.
It was put forward at the meeting that mediators with the Midland Traveller Conflict and Mediation Initiative (MTCMI) - a pilot project which was part-funded by the Department of Justice and Law Reform and the HSE - would be willing to get involved in the situation to try to broker a solution. This approach was agreed by all those present, including Dublin City Council.
A further meeting, requested by MTCMI, was held in the Dublin City Council offices on 17 June 2010 to review the position. I understand that the Traveller policy division of my Department has had no formal contact with the process since that date.
I am advised that MTCMI were willing to become involved in this case as an extension of work they are undertaking with Travellers in the Midlands and that they have not charged for the work carried out by them in the area referred to by the Deputy.
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