Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

116. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if and when the Government plans to recognise the ethnicity of the Traveller community in this State. [20179/15]

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin North Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

At my request - and following an earlier round of consultations with other Departments and the Traveller community on this issue - my Department has continued its discussions with Traveller interests with a view to developing a precise understanding of the legal implications, if any, of the recognition that the Traveller community is seeking. To facilitate a focussed discussion, 4 national-level Travellers NGOs have recently agreed a formal statement of what they are seeking and what they envisage such recognition will achieve in practical terms as well as in terms of the status and position of Travellers in Irish society.

The contents of this statement, which was received in recent days, are currently being considered. My Department will now engage further with other Departments and will as appropriate seek further legal advice. I also intend to host a round-table discussion with relevant Government Departments and Traveller representatives shortly, following which I will bring forward recommendations to Government on the issue.