Traveller group seek assurance on equality act

The Irish Traveller movement has said it is seeking government assurances that the Equal Status Act will not be changed following opposition to the legislation from publicans outside Dublin.

Speaking ahead of a meeting with Junior Minister Willie O’Dea today, ITM representatives said they are very concerned at hints by the minister that he is considering such an option.

They claimed that any dilution of the act would be giving in to blackmail from the Vintners Federation of Ireland, which has threatened to introduce a blanket ban on serving Travellers because of alleged abuses of the legislation by members of the Travelling community.

The VFI is also holding a separate meeting with Mr O’Dea today, but its members declined to comment on the matter this morning.