An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business
Seanad Éireann — 2026-02-17
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Linda Nelson Murray (FG), Industrial and Commercial Panel

This morning, I had the privilege of going to Meath Travellers' Workshop with Maria Walsh MEP. I had been there a few times previously, but sitting and listening to the people there today was a real eye-opener. It was a good experience. Something I am ashamed to say I did not know as a public representative is that every year we have a week called "Traveller Pride Week". This year, it will happen in late May. I think it will be around 25 May. Listening to some Travellers this morning, we discussed how education and communication are key and how in many of our primary schools we learn about different cultures. My children come home and say they had Spanish or French day, where they might eat some Spanish or French food. There is plenty of Irish culture in the schools as well, but the Travellers spoke about how nothing is ever done in primary schools about the old Irish culture of Travellers. Being able to explain to people who are Irish or of different nationalities some parts of what the culture is like is important. I took that on board today. One of the Travellers there mentioned he was born and reared in Navan. He is working in the Travellers' workshop, and is its chair.
He spoke about how people of different nationalities can get into local restaurants and pubs and sometimes he might find it difficult to do so. It is back to the education piece. We should take it up with the Minister for education. We are looking at the primary curriculum at the moment. Perhaps there is an opportunity to bring awareness of what Traveller culture is like to young children to appreciate this culture. It could help to break down some barriers between people and Irish Travellers. I would appreciate if the Leader brought that up with the Minister. I intend to do so too. I wanted to say that today, having been at the workshop this morning.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-02-17/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:38+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-02-17