Joint Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community to hold ‘Give Travellers the Floor’ meeting in Seanad Chamber

The meeting commencing at 11am will be split into two sessions:

11am-1pm – Accommodation and Education issues;

2pm-4pm – Health, Employment and Justice issues.

Committee Cathaoirleach Senator Eileen Flynn said: “The Committee looks forward to this public meeting titled ‘Give Travellers the Floor’. This meeting, which will take place in the Seanad Chamber, will give representatives of the Traveller Community the chance to voice their views on the State’s policies in respect of a variety of subjects which impact upon the lives of Travellers.

“The diverse array of speakers from the Traveller community will discuss subjects such as access to culturally appropriate accommodation; access to healthcare, including mental health services; education, including further and higher education; youth issues; and disability rights and more.

“The Committee is grateful to the Cathaoirleach of the Seanad, Senator Jerry Buttimer, and to the Leader of the Seanad, Senator Lisa Chambers, for facilitating the use of the Seanad Chamber for this very important meeting.

“We hope that this meeting will allow Members from both houses of the Oireachtas – as well as policy-makers and the public – to hear first-hand from members of the Traveller community about their experiences of living in Ireland today.”

The Joint Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community (2023) has 14 Members, nine from the Dáil and five from the Seanad. The Committee was re-established in June 2023 to continue the work of the previous Committee, whose final report can be found here.

The meeting in the Seanad Chamber can be viewed live on Oireachtas TV.

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.