Pavee Point warns on Equality Cuts

Press Release

12 December 2008

Pavee Point warns on roll-back of Traveller rights after Equality Authority cuts.

Pavee Point, the national Traveller organisation, has said the resignation of the Chief Executive of the Equality Authority marks a dark and worrying day for Equality and rights in Ireland.Speaking at an event in Dublin, Pavee Point director Ronnie Fay said she had fears for the future of equality in Ireland and praised the work of Niall Crowley.

She said:

"The cuts to the Equality Authority will make it much more difficult for Travellers and other discriminated against people to access information and support around equality. The steps the government has taken will make Ireland a less equal place, and the danger of the government rolling back on Travellers’ rights is very serious.

That the equality authority has been gutted with a massive 43% budget cut speaks to the government's commitment to undermine and dismantle the structures supporting people's rights. Non-crime related functions excluding the authority have had very modest cuts to budget, but the authority has been hammered with a slash to its budget designed to weaken it completely.

This is shameful, and won't go unnoticed outside Ireland."

Speaking about Niall Crowley, she said:

"Today we lose a trusty and internationally respected guardian of equality. Niall's contribution to the work of promoting and ensuring anti-discrimination in the country is second to none; his determination and commitment to the principles of the authority have made Ireland a better place to live and work."