Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 11 Mar 1997

Vol. 476 No. 2

Written Answers. - Travelling Community.

Helen Keogh

Question:

28 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform if he will appoint a person within his Department to monitor progress on the implementation of the recommendations of the task force on the travelling community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6643/97]

Peadar Clohessy

Question:

29 Mr. Clohessy asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform the discussions, if any, he has had with the Department of Education on the recommendations of the task force on the travelling community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6647/97]

Chris Flood

Question:

98 Mr. Flood asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform the proposals, if any, he has to co-ordinate the provision of services to travellers within the various public sector institutions that provide services of an essential nature to the travelling community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6849/97]

Minister for Equality and Law Reform (Mr. Taylor)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 28, 29 and 98 together.

As I have said in reply to previous Dáil Questions, most recently on 19 February, I continue to maintain an active interest in the process of implementing the recommendations in the report of the task force on the travelling community but members of the Government are answerable for those aspects of the report which are in their respective areas of responsibility.

It is not the practice to disclose the content of interdepartmental discussions. If a Deputy wishes to seek information about how the Department of Education is implementing the recommendations of the task force, his appropriate course of action is to table a question to that Minister.

The appropriate co-ordination of service provision to travellers is primarily a matter for the Departments and agencies responsible for those services. I retain an interest in seeing that such co-ordination occurs and maintain contact with my colleagues in this regard, as appropriate.