Sir, - The trespass legislation signed into law by the President on Wednesday is an intolerable affront to Irish Travellers.
Irrespective of its stated intention, it criminalises Travellers' way of life. While ignoring the denial of basic services and accommodation faced by Travellers for decades, this Act will exacerbate the plight of this already vulnerable and marginalised group.
It will result in a vicious Catch-22 situation: making it impossible for Travellers to camp on unofficial sites without risking prison sentences, but still leaving most unable to access official sites.
Even if this Act is compatible with our national Constitution, it nevertheless clashes with our international obligations to ethnic minorities. The Government signed up to the UN Declaration on the World Conference against Racism 2001 to "guarantee the rights of persons belonging to national minorities, individually or in community with other members of their group, to enjoy their own culture".
Specifically in relation to Travellers, it promised "to promote knowledge and respect for their culture and history" - not to outlaw their way of life.
The shameful lack of consultation with Traveller groups, and the apparent political opportunism involved in this process can be seen as another example of the lip service paid to basic human rights by this Government. - Yours, etc.,
SEÁN LOVE,
Director,
Amnesty International
(Irish Section),
Fleet Street,
Dublin 2.