There has been a great deal of reporting recently in media circles on members of the Traveller community, including Sarah Dunne, the daughter of the Pecker Dunne and a very positive role model in the Traveller community.

The Senator should not name people in the House who are not here to defend themselves.

Gabh mo leithscéal. I had a number of other people whom I would have liked to name, but I cannot do so. There was an issue the other day involving a Wicklow hurler who had received a great deal of racial abuse because he was a member of the Traveller community. There are positive aspects, including "Norah's Traveller Academy", Norah Casey's television show on RTE, although the Traveller community is often ridiculed in other programmes such as "My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding". However, there is an element in the Traveller community which is not really reported on or spoken about in public; that is, the dark underbelly of criminality. I visited the Natural History Museum next door to Leinster House where I saw that the rhino horns had been removed from the exhibits to prevent them from being taken in a theft operation being run by Traveller gangs. There is a certain propensity for violence. It was reported this morning that a 17 year old girl and a 16 year old boy were being married off in a pre-arranged marriage. I taught as a Traveller support teacher in a school and young girls were coming into my class at 12 and 13 years of age who knew whom they would be marrying. That would not be accepted in any other element of society.

Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?

Yes, I do. There are various building scams and other criminal acts. In Rathkeale in my constituency there are a large number of people with the finest houses and newest Jeeps who have no visible income.

What is the relevance of this to the Order of Business?

There is widespread social welfare fraud.

Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?

We need to have a debate on the issue.

Other people do that who are on social welfare.

Absolutely; I agree with what the Senator said earlier that a criminal was a criminal, regardless of where he or she came from.

Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?

I call for a debate in the Chamber with whoever is the relevant Minister. I imagine it is the Department of Justice and Equality, but it is not a matter related to equality. I call on the Minister to come to the House to tell us what measures are being taken. Criminality, lack of respect for law and order and taking the law into one's own hands cannot be tolerated in any section of the community, be it foreign nationals, settled people or members of the Traveller community or paramilitary organisations.

In his remarks the Senator is tarring a whole community. He is way over his time.