Over the last 30 years, few groups in Ireland have experienced change like that endured by the Traveller community. This change was not always by choice.
A policy of assimilation, "rehabilitation" to a settled way of life, has shaped our history. Government after government failed to develop clear and meaningful policies.
Their ad-hoc approach to our accommodation, health and education has left an effect on Travellers that is a national disgrace, but which settled people accept. While much of the change was outside our control, we have managed to adapt, becoming one of Ireland's most politicised communities.
The 1995 Task Force Report on the Traveller community brought changes. It recognised "the distinct culture and identity of the Traveller community" which freed Travellers somewhat from having to defend and explain their place in Irish society.
Traveller health units formed in each health board. The local Traveller accommodation consultative committees formed. Special Traveller classes in schools were abolished. The Equal Status Act provides an opportunity to bring cases to name and shame people who discriminate against the Traveller community.
The challenge for us now is to influence the work of the relevant committees. To date, our experience has not been as positive as we would like. However, at least we are working with people who influence the decisions which affect our lives.
The unco-ordinated response of Government agencies to Traveller issues is amazing. Local authorities spend a lot of public money taking court injunctions to move Traveller families from one county to the next. These families could face the same fate the following week.
There is a lack of political will to provide adequate Traveller housing, halting sites or transient sites. My hope is that the Dail Public Accounts Committee would investigate the huge waste of resources which goes into preventing Traveller families from travelling, while leaving them live in Third World conditions without running water, electricity, or sanitation. However, I am optimistic. The booming economy is opening employment opportunities. Travellers are asking the questions and are organising themselves to raise these issues. They believe that change is happening.
The equal status legislation is so heartening that some young Travellers have started to keep daily records of discrimination because they want to tell their children what it was like. These diaries will survive as testimony of what Ireland was like in 2001 for the Traveller Community.