'Disgraceful' vote row rocks Sligo Labour Party

by Pat Mon Feb 28, 2005 14:21

McGarry wants study of Travellers' needs



Problems between the settled and Travelling communities will not be solved by using councillors as buffers between the two communities, Labour Party Councillor, Jim McGarry has stated.

Speaking in the aftermath of the decision of the Borough Council to reject all proposed new sites for Travellers accommodation, Clr. McGarry said there was a need to get to know as much as possible about the Travelling population, their lifestyle and ambitions.

"We need to know the factors which are hindering their progress and whether they would be better served living in rural or large urban areas.

"Surely, it is time for the Government to initiate a broad ranging study of the Travelling community which would also look at issues such as entitlements on the one hand and responsibilities on the other.

Policy

"Then, armed with proper information the Government should draw up a coherent set of policy measures that would make real inroads on what is a worsening national problem.

"Most importantly, the Government must learn that half baked measures are no substitute for genuine solutions," said Clr. McGarry.

He said that over 40 years ago the Government introduced measures to improve accommodation for the Travelling population.

"Apart from humane considerations it was intended to integrate Travellers with the settled community. Now, half a century later, it is reasonable to ask how well has the integration process succeeded?

"All the evidence points to the conclusion that over the past 50 years the gap between the settled and Travelling communities has actually widened.

"Here in Sligo in recent weeks, we have seen nearly an entire community strongly opposed to a Travellers' site in their neighbourhood. Yet, the community of the area is made up of reasonable people.

"If there is a lesson to be learned, it is that problems surrounding the Travelling population will not be solved by stand alone disjointed measures. it will require a lot more on the Government's part than prosecuting publicans for refusing to serve drink to Travellers.

"Neither will it be solved by using elected representatives of local authorities as buffers between the two communities. These attempts only serve to highlight just how bereft our Government is of any real understanding of the extent of the problem.

"This is a national social problem of huge dimensions and the sooner the Government realise this then the better for all concerned," said Clr. McGarry.

by Heidi Hi Sat May 28, 2005 21:34

The decision of the two labour concillors Veronica Cawley and Jim McGarry to oppose a reasonable and modest proposal for Traveller housing in Sligo is appalling.

Fair play to Breezer for standing up to them. But I think it should teach Bree who he is really in cahoots with. Perhaps he should look now at restarting his own Sligo/Leitrim Socialist organisation or linking up with Seamus Healys new grouping or other left wing parties such as Sinn Fein and the Socialist Party.