When will there be a Traveller minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform?
Pavee Point Press Release
1 December 2008
When will there be a Traveller minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform?
Travellers give evidence to Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights
Tuesday 2 December 2008
At a hearing today, Travellers challenged the lack of Traveller representation in the formal political process. They gave evidence from a range of international expert bodies, which have called on the government to undertake positive action measures to ensure there is Traveller representation in the Oireachtas. They highlighted a number of issues which indicate the levels of discrimination Travellers continue to endure in Irish society. Why do fewer than 3% of Travellers complete secondary school?
Why are Travellers only now reaching the life expectancy of the settled population in the 1940’s?
Highlighting issues of inequality faced by Travellers and decrying the negative impact on Travellers of recent and proposed cuts in funding for rights and equality bodies, Ms Ronnie Fay, Director of Pavee Point, said:
“Given the ending of the National Action Plan Against Racism and the axing of the National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism (NCCRI), both of which were inclusive of Travellers, we want to know how Travellers will be included in anti-racism and intercultural initiatives going forward given that this has now become the responsibility of the Ministry for Integration which has explicitly excluded Travellers from their remit?” Ronnie Fay asked the committee to investigate this further.
“The question of Traveller ethnicity has to be addressed urgently,” she continued.
The committee meets on the second day of Traveller Focus Week, a week aimed at raising awareness of Traveller issues. Further information can be found on http://www.tfw.ie
Ends
Further information is available from Stephen O'Hare, report author: – 353 (0)857112635
Note to editors: Photos of the event have been syndicated by Tommy Clancy, keyword Pavee.