Recent remarks about Travellers by a Kerry councillor reinforced the need for equality legislation, the annual general meeting of the Irish Traveller Movement was told in Wexford over the weekend.
Mr Thomas McCann, an equality worker with Travellers, said they had waited a long time for the protection of the State from discrimination and it was important that the proposed Equal Status Bill became law as soon as possible.
"This would be the appropriate response from the Government and showed that the Fianna Fail party is serious about the commitment in its party document, A New Deal for Travellers," he said.
He was speaking to more than 150 delegates attending the a.g.m. in Clonard Community Centre, Wexford. The guest speakers were Mr Niall Crowley, chief executive of the Equality Authority, and Ms Sheila Rogers, of the Racial Equality Directorate of the Equality Commission in Northern Ireland.
Mr Crowley, who was involved in the foundation of the Irish Traveller Movement 10 years ago, said that in its first five months, the Equality Authority had received more than 3,000 queries from the public, with the most common complaint concerning harassment and sexual harassment in the workplace. A small percentage of queries came from Travellers. Mr Crowley said the challenge facing that community was to develop a widespread belief that discrimination could now be tackled under the new legislation.
The new Equality Authority would provide advice and legal representation to anyone taking a discrimination case in the courts.
Ms Rogers said a unique feature of the Racial Equality Directive in Northern Ireland, in operation since August 1997, was that legislation included Irish Travellers as a racial group, whereas they were not specifically mentioned in the British Race Relations Act.
Ms Rogers said it took time before people started to come to them with complaints, but Travellers now made up the largest group availing of legal advice.
The legal process was slow and only two or three cases had gone to court so far, she said.
Ms Rogers said the legal profession needed to be educated on issues of discrimination affecting Travellers because solicitors and barristers were new to the scene of racial equality.
A presentation to former Minister of State Mr Chris Flood, to mark his contribution to equality for Travellers, was postponed because Mr Flood was unable to attend. Ms Maureen Ward, chair woman of the Irish Traveller Movement, wishing him a speedy recovery said that at a time when many people were critical of politicians, the courage and integrity of Mr Flood in standing up for Travellers gave them confidence.