Bus tickets for domestic violence victims
The Chair introduced Senator Flynn, who raised the need for pre-booked bus tickets for women fleeing domestic violence, then broadened the point to reject racist treatment and to defend Traveller and minority communities.
I now turn to Senator Flynn who, I believe, has a new Taoiseach's nominee beside her joining us in the Seanad this morning.
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I thank the Acting Chairperson. My daughter Billie has been promoted by the Civil Engagement Group.
This morning I would like to raise an issue that I do not believe has been thought about in the transport committee or by the Minister, which is the pre-booking of bus tickets for women who are fleeing domestic violence situations and who are at risk if staying in the area where their abuser is. Two days ago, when I was getting on the bus it made me think. Because I did not have a pre-booked ticket I had to wait at the end of the queue along with Billie. It made me think outside the box and of those people who may be trying to escape violent situations and how it is possible. We need to look at this. The Minister for Transport needs to look at how we can make it more fair for people to be able to get onto buses without having a pre-booked ticket.
Something really struck me in the House yesterday. We can have a conversation and we are allowed to talk about Black Lives Matter. It is very important that we have discussions around Black Lives Matter and black lives do matter. It is not about how we do it; it is about the way we do it.
This is not a House for racism and discrimination towards any community. They can call me a "dramatic left", "far left" or whatever the hell they want to call me. I will not accept racism in a House-----
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-----where I am sitting. Yes, let us have the conversations, but they cannot be racist conversations. My child, who is here beside me, cannot help that she is a full member of the Traveller community and a full member of the settled community. She was born into this world. We cannot help it if we are working-class people, if we are black people or if we are Traveller people. We did not ask to be brought into these communities, but we are trying to make the most of it. The last thing we need is public representatives making our lives any more difficult. I bring that to the attention of this House today. I would like to thank my colleagues in the House who, when they see racism, they address it or support me in addressing it.