New service involving Travellers established

A new mediation service involving Travellers has been established in the west of Ireland.

The idea was developed by the late John O'Connell, of Pavee Point Travellers' Centre in Dublin, and is aimed at assisting in the resolution of disputes between Travellers and settled people.

The Minister of State for Housing and Urban Renewal, Mr Robert Molloy, welcomed the initiative at a function in Galway yesterday. Over past years, training has been provided for a group of Travellers and settled people from different parts of the State to enable them to act as mediators when disputes arise.

Mr Martin Colllins, of Pavee Point, said yesterday that instances of conflict arose when Travellers took to the road again after the winter.

"Mediation facilitates conflicting individuals or communities to reach their own agreements," Mr Collins explained. "It presents challenging opportunities, which, if seized, could provide a way forward in the development of improved community relationships."

Mr Molloy said the Government task force report on the Travelling community recognised the complex relationship between Travellers and settled communities, and also recognised that this was influenced by several factors, including lack of contact and knowledge on the part of each community about each other.