Traveller accommodation debate
Senator Eileen Flynn pressed for a debate on Traveller accommodation and the lack of facilities on the Curragh. The Leader replied by referring to the previous night's Bill, which led to a back-and-forth with repeated interruptions from Senator Flynn and procedural interventions from the Cathaoirleach.
The Senator repeatedly interrupts-----
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There is heckling from the floor. If the Senator wants a response then let me respond at the very least. The debate on that Bill was yesterday evening. That was the opportunity for all Members in the House to contribute. The Bill had passed with the support of anyone who turned up yesterday, who made the time to be here yesterday, and who spoke on the Bill in support of that Bill.
My information in terms of the Curragh is that ultimately every local authority has a responsibility to make sure that housing is provided for members of the Travelling community. That was not the debate yesterday. There are illegal encampments on the Curragh Plains and I am informed that these are people who are passing through. They are not necessarily indigenous to Kildare or people who are working with the local authority in that area. Ultimately they are illegal encampments. That is the purpose of the Bill. The intention behind the Bill, which I fully support, is that we protect those Curragh Plains because of their importance, not just to Kildare but to the country as well. There were people in the Public Gallery here including one lady who had to close her business because of it. That is totally unacceptable. The opportunity for that debate was yesterday.
Senator Paul Gavan-----
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I called for a debate on Traveller accommodation. That is not fair.
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The Leader came back to me about the Bill and she went through all of the others-----
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She did not go through my call for a debate on Traveller accommodation-----
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Senator Flynn, I do not wish to have an argument. To be fair to the Leader she is replying to the Order of Business. Senator Flynn had her opportunity at the beginning. If the Senator wishes to reply later she can do so during the course of Commencement matters or in another debate. I understand the point the Senator is trying to make but we have Standing Orders we must protect as well. The Leader is responding to the Order of Business. I am not taking sides in the argument, I am just observing the rules of the House.