Sir, - Nuala O'Faolain raised some points (Opinion, November 24th) which should be commended, such as the involvement of traveller women in adult education in St Basil's in Tallaght. However, she also raised some points which should be challenged.
She writes that all it would take to transform the traveller problem is for the settled population to permit 3,000 units of accommodation to be built.
Meas recognises that there is a huge need for adequate accommodation for many hundreds of traveller families. However, we also recognise that there is a great conflict between certain aspects of traveller culture and what settled people consider to be minimum acceptable standards of behaviour. There are examples from all over the country of houses which had been provided for travellers being totally wrecked, and severe damage being caused to halting sites.
We consider that the policy of many previous governments and various local authorities has proven to be unworkable, because it did not engage in a genuine consultative process with all sides, and because the unacceptable aspects of traveller culture and behaviour were never challenged.
Meas sees no reason why the required number of accommodation units for travellers cannot be provided in 1998, if this genuine consultative process is undertaken by all local authorities in the country, and if guarantees are given by government and local authorities to safeguard the quality of life, security and peace of mind which most settled people enjoy in their residential areas.
Most of the problems with traveller accommodation exist because of bad management by local authorities. How many have fully enforced their tenancy agreements and planning laws in relation to traveller accommodation? If local authorities are properly doing their job, why do we find unauthorised scrap collections, horses and several caravans in residential areas where travellers live? Local authorities are prepared to condone a level of conduct by some travellers which would not be tolerated from the settled community. Many settled people are enduring a living hell by being sited, involuntarily, in close proximity to anti-social neighbours.
The only way to solve the problem of providing the required number of accommodation units for traveller families who are in need, and unable to provide for themselves, is through consultation with both representatives from the settled community and traveller community. The very real fears and concerns of both sides urgently need to be addressed. Once guarantees have been given, in writing, from government, local authorities, the garda, social workers, that swift and decisive action will be taken when problems arise, then Meas members will have no difficulty in recommending to communities throughout the country that they accept traveller accommodation in their neighbourhood (provided that it is small scale). However, those travellers who have engaged in crime, violence and anti-social behaviour in the past (and thankfully they are in a minority among the traveller population) will find it very difficult to find any community brave enough (or foolish enough) to welcome them. They will find that their past behaviour has come to haunt them.
Meas calls on all local authorities to set up a genuine consultative process immediately, so that 1998 will be hailed as the year in which this problem has finally been solved. Of course plans for the medium and long-term accommodation needs for travellers will also need to be worked out in 1998.
The will is there from Meas members to solve this. Hopefully it will be matched by politicians and travellers. - Yours, etc.,
Chairperson, MEAS, New Ross, Co Wexford.