THOMAS Pringle has said Government and local authorities should be held accountable for their failings in providing safe and appropriate Traveller accommodation.
Addressing the Dáil during statements on Traveller accommodation, Deputy Pringle said: “It is a pity that these are just statements and not us debating emergency legislation to address local authorities’ failure to provide appropriate accommodation for Travellers.”
The deputy cited what he called ‘a scathing report’ the Ombudsman for Children published recently on conditions at a halting site.
After three years of investigative work, the ombudsman found that Cork County Council failed to maintain the site, failed to maintain the toilet and showering facilities, failed to ensure that there was consistent waste management and pest control, and failed to provide a clear and safe passage to school, or play areas for children.
Deputy Pringle said he reached out to a Traveller woman from Cork for input from the community most affected by recent reports.
The Deputy said: “The woman told me that she found the Taoiseach’s response to the Ombudsman for Children ‘No End in Site’ Report disappointing.
“She says, and I agree, that human rights and Traveller children human rights are indivisible. She asked that I call for an immediate intervention by the relevant departments and the Department of the Taoiseach with Cork City Council to address the findings as a matter of urgency.
“She asked that I highlight the complete dysfunctionality of what the government calls their `Framework for Traveller Accommodation` – which the ESRI also found to be ‘dysfunctional’ in 2017 – and that I call for the immediate implementation of the recommendations of the Expert Group on Traveller Accommodation, which has been awaiting implementation for the last two years.
“She wants a review of Traveller accommodation – group housing and halting sites, official and unofficial – across the country, and to look at the rights of Traveller children.
“There are issues with Traveller accommodation issues right across the country, not just in Cork. As Senator Eileen Flynn said, following the release of the report, ‘It’s a damning report which tells an all too familiar story when it comes to Traveller accommodation.
“We all have a responsibility to call out racism and discrimination against Travellers wherever it occurs – it’s beyond time for solidarity.”
