Senator Bacik Launches Minceirs Whiden Manifesto

STATEMENT BY SENATOR IVANA BACIK

Labour Party Seanad Spokesperson on Justice, Equality and Law Reform
21st April 2010

BACIK LAUNCHES MINCEIRS WHIDEN MANIFESTO

Senator Ivana Bacik today launched a policy document produced by Minceirs Whiden, a Traveller forum established in 2004 by a group of Travellers to promote an understanding and recognition of Travellers as a minority ethnic group in Irish society.

Speaking at the launch event in Buswells Hotel, Senator Bacik said:

“This document puts Travellers' ethnicity at the centre of any policy formation. Recognition of Travellers as a distinct group is vital. Travellers' distinct identity has been recognised at European and International level, but as yet the Irish Government has not taken a strong position of recognition of the ethnicity of Travellers, and it needs to do so.

“As well as emphasising the importance of Travellers' ethnicity, the document calls on the Traveller community to embrace diversity. It recognises that differences exist among Travellers based on gender, age, sexuality and disability. This is very important, and I think this is a brave document as it tackles many other issues that are not often spoken about publicly – domestic violence, conflict within Traveller communities and drug abuse. I am honoured to launch the document.”

ENDS.