As we speak, Saturday, is Traveller Ethnicity Day and 4 members of Donegal Travellers Mission have shared their views on the place the group stands.
Brigid-Marie Mongan, Lead Group Well being Employee; David Friel, Lecturer; Senator Eileen Flynn and Michelle Mongan, a Group Well being Employee, focus on issues to this point and the steps that should be taken subsequent.
Brigid-Marie Mongan, Lead Group Well being Employee
Q – Do you are feeling the popularity has made a distinction to the Traveller group, to Traveller households and your self?
A – No, Travellers are nonetheless being discriminated towards in Donegal, making an attempt to guide venues and accessing pubs and retailers. I actually can’t guide a venue in my very own identify I’ll use my first identify however not my surname or my double barrel identify and I received’t guide over the cellphone on account of my accent so I make bookings by emails this may safe a venue, till I land with my household after which it’s our look that’s took under consideration and god forbid if the employees know who you’re.
I’ve taken instances towards discrimination, however who actually received? I’m nonetheless not accessing my loyal retailers with out being watched and adopted, and nonetheless not utilizing my full identify and surname to guide venues. The popularity has given the travelling group a sense of being accepted and a proper to tackle discriminatory instances however hasn’t modified any bias or damaging attitudes from the overall inhabitants.
Q – When you have the affect to result in main modifications for the Traveller group as an ethnic minority, what must occur?
A – Fairness for the Traveller group, we shouldn’t be discriminated towards or handled by bias attitudes from companies, retailers and pubs. We needs to be handled just like the settled group when a Traveller does one thing unsuitable, then penalise them, not me or my household as a result of we’re additionally Travellers. We needs to be allowed to carry particular celebrations with our prolonged households with out utilizing a false identify and being watched all through the day whereas attending a venue.
David Friel, Lecturer
Q – Why was it essential for Irish Travellers to be recognised as an ethnic minority by the Irish state in your opinion?
A – Traveller ethnicity, for me, brings to thoughts bell hooks’ work on the margins, the place identification, oppression, and resistance intersect.
Recognition wasn’t about asking for permission to exist; it was about affirming what had at all times been true. It acknowledged the values and traditions that set us aside from the bulk inhabitants and it pressured the state to confess what it had denied for many years, that Travellers expertise racism.
For too lengthy, the Irish state dismissed the fact of anti-Traveller racism, framing our exclusion as a problem of poverty or drawback quite than structural discrimination. Recognition was an important step in dismantling that narrative. It marked a shift in how Travellers are understood inside Irish society, not simply as a group in want however as a definite ethnic group with rights that needs to be revered, protected and fulfilled.
However recognition alone modifications little if it’s not adopted by significant motion. It’s one factor to acknowledge ethnicity, however one other fully to make sure that public companies, insurance policies, and legal guidelines mirror that actuality in follow. Ethnicity recognition should be the inspiration for tackling the systemic inequalities Travellers face, not only a symbolic milestone to be referenced when handy.
Q – Do you are feeling the popularity has made a distinction to the Traveller group, to Traveller households, and to your self?
A – Symbolically, recognition was essential, however in sensible phrases, it has but to translate into significant protections. Travellers proceed to fare poorly on all of the social determinants of well being, with decrease life expectancy, greater charges of power sickness, psychological well being disparities, and boundaries to schooling and employment. Whereas recognition supplied a basis, it should be legislated to make sure that it results in tangible change in how the state helps and protects Traveller communities. With out legislative backing, ethnicity recognition dangers being a symbolic gesture quite than a mechanism for addressing the deep-rooted inequalities Travellers expertise.
Q – Do you suppose the popularity of ethnicity is known and thought of by public companies and others within the county?
A – The weak dedication from public companies in Donegal is emblematic of how Traveller wants, aspirations, and rights are understood and responded to. It isn’t about treating Traveller points as an add-on however about embedding significant engagement into core coverage and planning processes. I’ve accomplished vital work on Public Sector Responsibility within the county, and whereas this obligation legally obliges public our bodies to proactively promote human rights and inclusion, implementation stays weak. Companies should plan for Traveller wants as an integral a part of their work quite than seeing engagement with Travellers as an occasional or tokenistic train. For too lengthy, the method has been reactive quite than proactive.
Q – How has the popularity of ethnicity, if any, improved the standard of life for the Traveller group?
A – It is a query that entails many caveats and complexities. Whereas coverage, because it has traditionally, continues to answer the wants of Travellers, it may possibly solely be outlined as a coverage implementation deficit—contemplating we have now had 5 failed Traveller lodging insurance policies within the final 20 years. The truth is that the popularity of ethnicity has not resulted in higher dwelling circumstances, improved well being outcomes, or larger entry to companies. Nevertheless, it has led to elevated consciousness, strengthened advocacy, and a way of cultural affirmation inside the group. Younger Travellers now have a clearer sense of their identification being acknowledged in public discourse. However for recognition to really enhance high quality of life, it should be linked to enforceable rights and accountability in any respect ranges of governance.
Q – What do you suppose must occur within the subsequent 5 years to make sure that the Irish state enshrines the distinct cultural rights of the Traveller group in public coverage and companies?
A – The subsequent 5 years should deal with shifting from recognition to implementation. This consists of:
Ethnicity recognition should be legally enshrined in insurance policies throughout all sectors to make sure it carries weight past symbolism.
Public our bodies should be held accountable for delivering on Traveller-specific commitments and be required to reveal progress.
Public companies have to create courageous areas the place they acknowledge and take accountability for the inequalities which can be occurring quite than avoiding troublesome conversations.
There must be a shift within the Irish psyche concerning how we reply to and work together with distinction. An intercultural method should be embedded throughout public companies to make sure real inclusion quite than superficial variety initiatives.
Travellers should be on the forefront of shaping the insurance policies that have an effect on them, with correct resourcing and decision-making energy.
Q – Has the popularity of ethnicity contributed in any option to the eradication of racism and discrimination as skilled by the Traveller group?
A – Recognition alone has not eradicated racism. Travellers proceed to expertise discrimination in schooling, employment, entry to public companies, and day-to-day life. Whereas recognition has strengthened authorized arguments towards discrimination, there was little shift in how Travellers are handled in society. Anti-Traveller racism stays embedded, and plenty of Travellers proceed to expertise exclusion at systemic and interpersonal ranges. The problem now’s to make sure that this recognition is used as a basis for dismantling the buildings that perpetuate inequality.
Q – Should you had the affect to result in main modifications for the Traveller group as an ethnic minority, what must occur?
A – The change wanted is not only legislative or policy-driven;it’s a change within the Irish psyche, in how we reply to and work together with distinction. We have to transfer past viewing Travellers by a deficit lens and as an alternative embrace an intercultural method that values and respects our distinct identification.
Key priorities embrace:
Traveller ethnicity should be greater than symbolic; it should be legally protected and enforced throughout all public establishments.
There should be accountability for native authorities that persistently fail to fulfill their obligations in offering culturally applicable lodging.
Colleges and workplaces should actively dismantle boundaries to inclusion by focused helps and anti-discrimination measures.
Public companies should shift from a ‘one-size-fits-all’ method to at least one that acknowledges and integrates cultural variety meaningfully.
Travellers should be seen in any respect ranges of decision-making, from native councils to nationwide policymaking areas.
Ethnic recognition was step one, however the true work lies in guaranteeing that this recognition results in significant, lasting change. The approaching years should be about motion, not simply acknowledgment.
Eileen Flynn, Senator
Q – Why was it essential for Irish Travellers to be recognised as an ethnic minority by the Irish state in your opinion?
A – For generations, Travellers had been denied our identification. The state’s formal recognition in 2017 wasn’t nearly phrases on paper, it was an affirmation of our existence as a definite individuals with our personal historical past, language, and traditions. Absence of this recognition allowed stereotypes to thrive. We had been usually handled as a “downside” quite than a group with wealthy cultural contributions. Ethnic recognition issues as a result of it challenges the concept that Travellers should assimilate to be valued. It’s about dignity, the proper to say, “We belong right here, and our lifestyle is legitimate”.
Q – Do you are feeling the popularity has made a distinction to the Traveller group, to Traveller households and to your self?
A – Symbolically, sure. When the Taoiseach stood within the Dáil and acknowledged our ethnicity, it despatched a message to Traveller kids that their identification is value celebrating. However sensible change has been slower. Traveller households nonetheless face homelessness, poor lodging and boundaries to healthcare. My very own work within the Seanad has proven me that coverage shifts like elevated funding for psychological well being helps, are attainable, however systemic inequalities persist. Recognition opened doorways, however we’re nonetheless pulling down partitions.
Q – Do you suppose the popularity of ethnicity is known and thought of by public companies and others within the county?
A – There’s progress, however inconsistency. In Donegal, initiatives have educated faculties and well being employees on cultural competence, which helps. But, many Travellers nonetheless encounter discrimination in hospitals or Garda stations. Latest stories spotlight that Travellers really feel focused by the justice system. Till each county council, college and hospital embeds anti-racism coaching, and listens to Travellers when designing companies, we’ll maintain preventing the identical battles.
Q – How has the popularity of ethnicity, if any, improved the standard of life for the Traveller group?
A – In pockets. The institution of a Traveller-specific psychological well being employee in Donegal has saved lives. Hate crime laws, which I’ve championed, is nearer to actuality. However take a look at lodging: most Travellers nonetheless reside in overcrowded or unsafe circumstances. Ethnic recognition alone doesn’t construct homes or fund schooling. What it does is give us a stronger platform to demand these assets, and we should maintain pushing for equality of alternative.
Q – What do you suppose must occur within the subsequent 5 years to make sure that the Irish state enshrines the distinct cultural rights of the Traveller group within the Irish state and in public coverage and companies?
A – Three phrases: motion, accountability, allies.
Legislate hate crime legal guidelines and implement inclusion methods. Require public our bodies to report yearly on Traveller inclusion metrics, from college retention charges to healthcare entry. Develop solidarity between Travellers and settled individuals. Tasks like group documentaries present how storytelling bridges divides. We additionally want extra Travellers in management roles, not simply in politics, however in media, schooling and healthcare.
Q – Has the popularity of ethnicity contributed in any option to the eradication of racism and discrimination as skilled by the Traveller group?
A – It’s sophisticated. Many Travellers nonetheless face every day prejudice. Ethnicity isn’t a protect; it’s a rallying cry. When faculties educate Traveller historical past or Gardaí prosecute hate speech, that’s once we’ll see change. I’ve confronted slurs since being within the Seanad, however I’ve additionally seen many individuals standing with me. That offers me hope.
Q – Should you had the affect to result in main modifications for the Traveller group as an ethnic minority, what must occur?
A – First, hate crime laws. Phrases harm, however legal guidelines change behaviour. Second, Traveller-led companies. Who understands our wants higher than us? The success of Donegal’s psychological well being initiatives proves this. Third, schooling reform. Mandate Traveller historical past within the curriculum, not as a footnote, however as a vibrant thread in Eire’s story. Lastly, illustration. My election wasn’t an endpoint; it was a spark. We’d like extra Travellers in native councils, boards and media to reshape narratives.
Michelle Mongan, Group Well being Employee
Q – Why was it essential for Irish Travellers to be recognised as an ethnic minority by the Irish State in your opinion?
A – In my view, in order that we’d be seen as equal and be given the proper alternatives as all ethnic minority teams and be seen as equal by companies and authorities.
Q – How has the popularity of ethnicity improved the standard of life for the Traveller group?
A – It has given us the prospect to be included in authorities boards. We’re included extra in companies however we nonetheless face challenges. Hopefully over time there can be much less challenges to fret about or face. The popularity of ethnicity has allowed us to make use of our voice extra with companies and foyer extra for our rights as a group.
