One of the most relevant issues that will face the community across this country in the weeks ahead is the question of new age travellers. New age travellers have located in property owned by Coillte Teoranta in east Cork. They have come here as a result of new laws being enacted in the United Kingdom which have made it difficult for them to reside there. We are now seeing a large influx of such travellers to our shores. I am rather worried for the people of Ballyhooley and the area generally that we will see an estimated influx of 2,000 people when the new ferry season begins.
New age travellers in the Ballyhooley area pose a threat in terms of fire which would cause a major disaster in this woodland area. In the United Kingdom such travellers are subject to tax but here they pay no VAT on their trading and pay nothing to the State compared with ordinary citizens. They are eligible for health concessions and for medical cards. They are entitled to a supplementary welfare allowance as well as other rights which no Irish citizen has without undergoing a means test. They are helped all the way.
Rave parties are identified with drugs. We have seen a few rave parties in west Cork and they are likely to occur in any area. People are genuinely concerned that drugs and rave parties present a threat to the community. This would have a major influence on teenagers. I believe new legislation is necessary to protect people from the threat of new age travellers. The citizens of Ballyhooley and the surrounding areas are entitled to protection. The Garda Síochána have been informed and on many occasions they have expressed concern. Nothing has happened to date that has disturbed the area but there is a build-up to something happening because there will be a greater influx of such people.
I urge the Government to investigate immediately the possibility of enacting new legislation or amending existing laws. I do not know which Department is responsible for new age travellers. I believe they will cause problems whether for the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry because they are residing on land owned by Coillte Teoranta, the Department of Justice or the Department of the Environment. Something should be done to sort out this problem and help our citizens.