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Seanad
‹ An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

Mica redress and Traveller mental health

Summary

Senator Flynn welcomed the Mica Action Group to Leinster House and also highlighted a forthcoming report on mental health among Travellers and the need for redress and funding.

I welcome the Mica Action Group from Donegal to Leinster House. They will be in the audiovisual room at 4 p.m. All are welcome. The event will be hosted by Deputy Pringle and it will be an opportunity to hear the voices of the campaigners who deserve and should get 100% redress.

Tomorrow at 11 a.m. a south Dublin mental health report will be launched about Travellers. Over the last two years, credit should be given where credit is due. It may not be the amount that is needed to fix the mental health inequalities that Travellers are experiencing in Ireland, but we are getting some funding and some good support from the office of the Minister of State, Deputy Butler. It is remarkable to be able to say that as a person who represents our community at times in this House. If people want to come along to that event tomorrow, it will be held at 11 a.m. in the audiovisual room. They will get to hear the voices of the Traveller community and issues that impact Travellers' mental health, as well as some of the positive changes that have been made. It is not all negative.

I welcome the discussions that will be held tomorrow about people who are living in direct provision and their accommodation. I ask people with all my heart that before they come in here tomorrow to remember that in order to debate these people’s lives we have to understand that they are people first and foremost. We must have no racist comments in the House. I do not believe that we in this House stand for racism, discrimination or xenophobia. I remind Members to think about that before the debate tomorrow.

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