Gerry Adams
Question:6. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to introduce legislation to recognise Traveller ethnicity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39341/12]
View answerWednesday, 19 September 2012
Questions (6)
Oral answers (7 contributions)
During the course of the examination by a working group of the UN Human Rights Council of Ireland's report to that council, prepared under the universal periodic review procedures of the council, the Minister, Deputy Shatter, was asked, among many other matters, about the position of Travellers in Irish society. One delegation specifically recommended that Ireland should recognise Travellers as an ethnic minority while other interventions were of a more general nature. The Minister replied that serious consideration is being given to granting such recognition. The Minister is aware of the long-standing wish of many Travellers that such status be granted and that the previous Government was of the view that Travellers are not an ethnic minority. He is also aware that this is not necessarily the unanimous view of all Travellers.
The Minister is aware that dialogue between staff of his Department and representatives of Traveller organisations has taken place in the past on the issue, for example, during the course of a seminar on the third State report under the Council of Europe Convention on National Minorities. In addition, the national Traveller monitoring and advisory committee, on which sit representatives of all the national Traveller organisations as well as officials of the Department of Justice and Equality, earlier this year established a sub-group specifically to consider the issue of Traveller ethnicity. Consideration of this issue is ongoing and it is intended that the question will be before the Government for decision as soon as possible.
The issue of ethnicity is not unique to Ireland - a debate is taking place throughout Europe on ethnic travelling communities, known in eastern Europe as Gypsy communities. If we can establish their ethnicity we can defend them from the small minority who have engaged in racist comments. I was very alarmed to read recently reported comments of a District Court judge referring to some members of the Traveller community as Neanderthal men. If that is the standard we can expect from District Court judges, it is no wonder there is an environment of racism towards the Traveller community. Those of us who care about the Traveller community work with them to resolve issues and challenges. Like all friends we tell them the good news and bad news. We will tell them the full truth - warts and all - of challenges that are faced. However, there can be no space in Irish society for racism towards them as an ethnic group. The quicker we can establish that, the quicker we can defend them from that very small minority in Ireland who engage in that type of behaviour.
The matter is under consideration as outlined in the reply I gave. It is something the Minister feels is being given serious consideration.
There is not always agreement among the Traveller community on this issue. The informal consultation which has been ongoing with the Department for some time will continue. It is important not to cause additional or any friction in any community. Consideration and consultation on the issue must be ongoing.
I am sure the Minister of State will agree this has been ongoing for some time. With whom in the Traveller community is the Department consulting, when can we expect an end to these consultations and when can we expect definable action that will defend them? If we can resolve this particular issue, we can move on to working with the Traveller community to address the issues of resources and education and whatever other challenges need to be faced.
The Department is consulting a wide range of people. The Deputy will be aware that many different organisations represent the Traveller community. I am not certain when the consultation process will conclude or, following it, whether legislation will be introduced.
Travellers, as Irish citizens, are covered by all the anti-discrimination legislation enacted in this State and are named specifically in the Equal Status Act and so on. It is not that they are unprotected as we speak. As I stated earlier, the issue is under consideration.
Like Deputy Mac Lochlainn I was not aware a consultation process on the issue of Traveller ethnicity was ongoing. It is an issue that merits deep consideration and debate. We are all concerned for genuine Travellers who find themselves in difficult situations. Unfortunately, however, there is an abuse of the term "Traveller" and all that goes with it. This is happening in my constituency around the town of Rathkeale. Many people engaged in blatant criminality use it as a flag of convenience to hide behind.
Perhaps the Minister of State would ask officials to provide Deputy Mac Lochlainn and I with a briefing on the matter. There is also a need for full-scale discussion of this issue in the House. It affects not only genuine members of the Traveller community but the wider public in terms of the activities in which the people who claim to be Travellers are engaged.
As is the case with all groups in society, some people are criminals and others are not. Members of the settled community also engage in criminal activity, yet we are not all tarred with the same brush.
I understand what the Deputy says. This is a huge dilemma which we will have to address, although that will not be happening any time soon. The Deputy is correct that there is a need for a wide ranging debate on this issue in consultation with people other than the Traveller community. I will ask my officials to provide Deputies Collins and Mac Lochlainn with a briefing on the issues involved. There is a great deal happening in terms of Travellers.