Groups hope finding on Traveller sites will force change

Traveller rights groups have said they hope Council of Europe criticism of the Government for failing to provide adequate housing will put “pressure” on the authorities to address the problem.

Pavee Point said the finding by the Council of Europe’s Committee of Social Rights that Ireland has violated Article 16 of the European Social Charter in its treatment of Travellers confirmed what Traveller organisations have claimed for some time.

Martin Collins, co-director of Pavee Point, said: “This finding by the European Committee of Social Rights is a high-level decision that puts Ireland’s record on Travellers into a shameful light.