Phyllis Connors lives in a 15-bay emergency halting site in Tallaght, Co Dublin. The site has no electricity. Each family in the Kilsaran site has an outside chemical Portaloo and a water tap.
"The council tells us we will be there for two years, but who knows, we could be there for six years with no electricity," says Phyllis Connors (46), who lives with her husband and four children. She told the audience at yesterday's report launch that living on the site is "no better than being on the side of the road".
South Dublin County Council, which is responsible for the Kilsaran site, says its residents will be moved to permanent accommodation within two years.
Mr Paul Smyth from the council's Traveller Accommodation Unit said its Traveller Accommodation Programme does not stipulate that electricity be supplied to emergency sites. However, cables have already been laid and it plans to install electricity at the Kilsaran site once complaints by the settled community cease for a month. These include claims of unauthorised tipping on the site and the involvement of young Travellers in car chases, he said.
Mr Smyth said investigations are at an advanced stage in relation to allegations of antisocial behaviour by three families on the site.
The Irish Traveller Movement is highly critical of the council's "rewards" approach to a basic amenity like electricity.
The area's Fianna Fail TD, Mr Chris Flood, warned that temporary sites can too often become permanent. Mr Flood, who chaired yesterday's report launch, backed its call for an end to evictions of Travellers from unauthorised sites unless they can provide suitable alternative accommodation.
"If the local authorities have no place to put them there's little point in moving them on, they will only go to someone's private field," he said.