I want to talk a little about recognising Traveller ethnicity. Last Wednesday morning at a meeting of the Joint Committee on Justice and Equality, we heard a presentation on recognising Traveller ethnicity from a group of people who work in and are part of the Traveller community. Ms Ronnie Fay, Mr. Martin Collins, Mr. Thomas McCann and Dr. Robbie McVeigh gave a powerful presentation. It is time we all realised that recognising Traveller ethnicity means recognising that Travellers experience racism and discrimination. It is only by fully recognising the problem that we can work towards a solution. The dominant view on Travellers in Ireland has been that they are some sort of deviant settled people. The solution to the Traveller problem has been to try to turn Travellers back into settled people. In other words, it is contended that if Travellers are not part of a distinct community, they should be treated the same as the general population and assimilated into it. By doing so, however, their specific needs are not met. They become invisible to policymakers and service providers, and the community suffers. The idea has always been rejected by Travellers themselves since it involves faulty analysis that has never worked. Despite the prevailing policies and strategies, Travellers have not disappeared and remain as much Travellers as ever before. Not including Travellers' needs, however, has resulted in very poor living conditions for them. Some 800 families live at the side of the road with no running water or sanitation. There are low outcomes in education. Some 55% of Travellers leave school before the age of 15 and only 1% of them attain a third level qualification. Long-term unemployment-----

Is the Senator calling for a debate?

No. I really just want to highlight this issue. It is absolutely vital.

I wish to point out, in a nice way, that it is not allowed on the Order of Business to make statements on issues. One either calls for a debate or raises something.

I call for a debate, if that is what the Chair is proposing.

No. What I am saying is that it is not appropriate to read statements on the Order of Business. That is in the rules of the House.

I just want to highlight the issues that the Travellers have come up against.

I am just suggesting it might be appropriate for the Senator to call for a debate on the issue.

I call for a debate on the issue but I would also like to say I believe it is time that we started to recognise the circumstances of Travellers. It is an absolute disgrace that they are treated with such little dignity and respect as human beings in this country. Traveller ethnicity has already been recognised in the North and the rest of the United Kingdom. I do not know why it is not recognised here in the Republic. I would like a debate on this.

I support Senator Black's call for a debate on the recognition of Traveller ethnicity. The previous justice committee, on which the Cathaoirleach sat with me, Senator Mac Lochlainn and others, recommended unanimously that Traveller ethnicity be recognised. It is important and timely to have the debate.

I welcome Harriett Bruce and former Labour Party councillor Johnny Walsh, who were in the Gallery a moment ago and who Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh mentioned. Senator Denis Landy and others have been working with them and they were here today to meet the Labour Party leader, Deputy Brendan Howlin, who has also taken up their case and the issue of the deportation already mentioned. There will be a briefing in the AV room at 4 p.m., which I know all colleagues will be interested in attending.

I also welcome the Cathaoirleach's clarification in respect of the move to the National Museum, especially in light of all of the concerns expressed to us. It is welcome to hear an agreement has been concluded.

I thank colleagues for their support on a cross-party basis for the passing of the Competition (Amendment) Bill 2016 last Thursday. We should note the historic achievement that this was the first Private Members' Bill to pass either House of the Oireachtas under the current Government. That was a good day for the Seanad, being the first House to pass a Private Members' Bill in full. Will the Leader ensure it receives a speedy passage through the Dáil? I certainly will be doing what I can to ensure that also.

I also ask colleagues for their support for the other Bill the Labour Party is introducing on Second Stage tomorrow, the Protection of Employment (Uncertain Hours) Bill 2016. We see it as an important component of a package of measures to protect workers' rights. Just as our Bill last week will allow freelance workers to have collective bargaining rights, tomorrow's Bill will ensure protections for those on uncertain hours or so-called flexible contracts.

Will the Leader organise a debate on domestic violence and law reform to provide for greater protection for victims and survivors of domestic violence? Could we have the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality provide to the House the timeframe for legislation on domestic violence? I was privileged to attend and speak at a Safe Ireland summit organised yesterday and today in the Mansion House in Dublin, at which we heard speakers with international profiles on domestic and gender-based violence on the need to ensure greater protections for victims and survivors. Some powerful testimonies were also given. Will the Leader organise such a debate? The Seanad has led on this and there have been justice committee reports before. We do, however, now need legislative reform in this area.