Vol. 491 No. 2
25 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his role in implementing the recommendations in the Report of the Task Force on the Travelling Community; his future proposals, if any, in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11527/98]
The previous Government decided against centralised monitoring of the implementation of the recommendations of the Task Force on the Travelling Community. The approach taken was flawed. I am, therefore, setting up a monitoring committee to co-ordinate and monitor the implementation of the recommendations of the task force in a practical way.
The monitoring committee will be representative of relevant Departments, traveller organisations, each of the four pillars in Partnership 2000 and other experts in this area. Nominations have been sought from the bodies concerned and the first meeting of the monitoring committee is due to take place next month.
It is intended that the first progress report on the implementation of the recommendations will be submitted to the Government in 1999.
The report of the task force included a number of recommendations concerning the introduction of legislation prohibiting discrimination against travellers. Discrimination based on membership of the traveller community will be prohibited in revised employment equality legislation which is before this House. It will also be prohibited in the revised equal status legislation which will be published later this year.
