Paul Murphy
Question:147. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her views on the recognition of the Traveller community as an ethnic minority; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38838/15]
View answerThursday, 5 November 2015
Questions (147)
Written answers
At my request - and following an earlier round of consultations with other Departments and the Traveller community on this issue - my Department has continued its discussions with Traveller interests with a view to developing a precise understanding of the legal implications, if any, of the recognition that the Traveller community is seeking. To facilitate a focussed discussion, 4 national-level Travellers NGOs agreed a formal statement of what they are seeking and what they envisage such recognition will achieve in practical terms as well as in terms of the status and position of Travellers in Irish society and on 15 July 2015 hosted a round-table discussion with relevant Government Departments and Traveller representatives with a view to clarifying any remaining issues.
The Deputy will be aware that there is a consultation process underway led by the Department of Justice and Equality to develop a new National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy. Phase 1 (identification of key themes for the new Strategy) has been completed, and Phase 2 (identification and agreement of high-level objectives under each agreed theme) will commence shortly. The final Phase, Phase 3 (identification of detailed actions to achieve each agreed objective, with associated timescales, Key Performance Indicators, institutional responsibilities and monitoring arrangements), will commence in early 2016 and conclude also in early 2016.
This process will give us a new Traveller Inclusion Strategy and a set of very real actions that need to be taken to bring about a real improvement in quality of life for Travellers. The question of the recognition of Travellers as an ethnic group is being considered and discussed further in the context of the development of this new Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy.