Traveller culture in Culture 2025
Deputy Barry objected that the draft Culture 2025 document omitted Traveller culture and sought assurance it would be included. The Taoiseach replied that the final document would be inclusive and should reflect the distinct ethnicity of Irish Travellers.
We have seen the draft document for Culture 2025 and we are being told the document is being finalised. The draft document contains no mention whatever of Traveller culture. The new Minister with responsibility for this portfolio was sharply criticised last week, including from these benches, for previous comments and actions relating to Travellers and Traveller rights.
Comment on this
Yes. The Minister has spent much of the past week protesting that she is not anti-Traveller. Will the House be given an indication or guarantee that the finalised Culture 2025 document will be inclusive and deal with the question of Traveller culture?
Comment on this
Yes. I am happy to say the document will be inclusive of all cultures. The decision of this Government to recognise the distinct ethnicity of the Irish Traveller culture must be realised in many ways, and one of these is to ensure we include the expression of Traveller culture in that document when it is published.