Vol. 493 No. 2
54 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has established a monitoring committee on the implementation of the task force on the travelling community; the membership of this committee and the work programme for the coming year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15439/98]
I have set up a committee to monitor and co-ordinate the implementation of the recommendations of the report of the task force on the travelling community. The first meeting took place on Friday last, 19 June. The committee is being chaired by my Department and its members are: representatives of relevant Government Departments, i.e Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Education and Science, Environment and Local Government, Finance, Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Health and Children and Social, Community and Family Affairs, representatives of the main traveller organisations — Pavee Point, The Irish Traveller Movement and National Traveller Women's Forum, representatives of each of the four pillars in Partnership 2000, and persons nominated by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.
The committee's terms of reference require it to co-ordinate and monitor the implementation of the recommendations on the report of the task force on the travelling community which have been accepted by the Government or by Ministers; to draw up and submit to the Government from time to time, starting in 1999, a progress report on the implementation of the recommendations, including proposals for acceleration or prioritisation of implementation of recommendations; to re-examine recommendations where necessary in the light of changes in Government policy and practice and of legislative, demographic, social and economic change; and to serve as a forum for consultation on current issues of national importance affecting the travelling community.
The work programme for the year will reflect these terms of reference and is being drawn up in consultation with members of the committee.
