A voice for Travelers to Ireland in the Senate

Audio 02:30

By: Emeline Vin

It will soon be the start of the parliamentary term in most of the countries of the northern hemisphere. In Ireland, the Senate was formed just a few weeks before the summer recess. Among the new senators, appointed by the Prime Minister, a woman: Eileen Flynn. The 30-something made history by becoming the very first member of the Irish Traveler community, a branch of Travelers, to achieve national representation. What to encourage the youngest in a discriminated minority in Ireland.

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She was already the first woman on the trip, or Traveler, a graduate. Today the first parliamentarian, Eileen Flynn, 30, intends to bring something new. “  I will be the voice of independence, of equality, for Travelers but also for all ethnic minorities in Ireland, so that their children and my own daughter live in a better Ireland.  "

Travelers represent 1% of the Irish population, but feel considered second-class citizens. At 15 years old, Amy and Sinead, have already experienced anti-traveler racism.
Sinead: “ Teachers have already called me a gypsy. One day, with my friends, a teacher said hello to us. He was told that we young people said it differently. He replied : what, you want me to talk like a gypsy all day long ?  "
Amy:"  Even at our age we are treated differently, so when we want to look for work, you know it will be difficult.  "

The unemployment rate reaches 80% in the community. Long blond hair, Sinead is one of a minority who wants to continue his studies after high school. She and her cousin have high expectations of Eileen Flynn.

Sinead: “ I don't really feel listened to. I hope that from now on, we will be better accepted by the population, that we are treated like everyone else.  "
Amy:" The policies do not listen to what we say, because we're Traveler's.  "

The two girls regret that the recent protests against racism and the #BlackLivesMatter movement were not enough for Travelers to Ireland to speak.
“There is an institutionalized, structural racism. "

Martin Collins co-manages Pavee Point, which advocates for the rights of Travelers and Roma. “ We see it in terms of health, education, employment, living conditions. A Traveler lives on average 15 years less than the rest of the Irish. The suicide rate in our community is 7 times the national average. This is what we are talking about when we talk about racism. If we solve the problem of racism, we will solve everything else.  "

The activist welcomes the arrival of Eileen Flynn in Parliament, necessarily a step forward.
“ Travel associations have been waiting for this for years. But you know, that's not enough. It has to be the start of something, not an end in itself. We need Travelers at every level of public life.  "

Martin Collins hopes that Eileen Flynn's journey will inspire other young people, like Amy and Sinead, to get involved in the Traveler community in Ireland as well.

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• Ireland
• Racism

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