Travellers’ rights and responsibilities

The Travellers are a perfect example of the political powerlessness of minorities, with the exception of the super-rich, and their plight illustrates the shortcomings of our political system.

Politicians thrive on clientilism and focus almost exclusively on their own constituency, thus sustaining a NIMBY mentality which has thwarted the provision of services to Travellers and other minorities.

If your votes don’t count, then you don’t count.

Both the settled community and Travellers have rights and attendant obligations.

The current approach seems to be that when Travellers meet their civic obligations we, the settled community, might consider giving them the means to enjoy their rights.

Could it be time we tried it the other way round?

Only then can we call for ‘the full rigour of the law.’

Peter Molloy

9 Haddington Park

Glenageary

Co Dublin