There should be a designated place for members of the Travelling Community in the Dail and Seanad, according to the Irish Traveller Movement.
The group was one of a number of representative groups that have spoken in the Seanad this morning for the first time since Travellers were recognised as an ethnic minority on March 1st 2017.
Several issues were discussed including Traveller participation in politics, racism, and social inclusion.
Other issues were discussed, including mental health issues in the Travelling community.
Minnie Connors from the Wexford Traveller Development Group spoke about losing her sister.
'My beautiful sister Alice took her own life last year. She was 24. She was the 9th suicide in my family in the last 30 years. Suicide in the Travelling community is seven to ten times higher than in the settled community. In spite of this governments do nothing to deal with the crisis'.
Martin Collins from Pavee Point says there is one core issue for Travellers in Ireland:
'Racism. Without a shadow of a doubt. Racism on both the individual level and the institutional level. And we see the manifestations of that racism in the poor living conditions, in the suicide rates, the high unemployment rate. So if we're serious about addressing the issues and supporting the inclusion of Travellers and supporting the human rights of Travellers lets name it for what it is and stop pussy footing around'.
The issues discussed today will be considered in a report which will aim to create a fair Ireland for members of the Travelling community.
