2 Jul 2012, 11:13
The Oireachtas Joint Committee on European Union Affairs tomorrow meet with representatives of Pavee Point for a discussion on Roma experiences of racism and what can be done to develop EU-wide Roma integration strategies.
The Pavee Point traveller centre is one of the few organisations in Ireland to do targeted direct work with Roma.
Chairman of the Committee Dominic Hannigan TD said: “The Roma are one of Europe’s oldest minorities and have endured a long history of discrimination and disadvantage throughout Europe. An ethnic minority group numbering approximately 12 million, Roma live predominantly on the margins of society and often denied rights to housing, employment, healthcare and education across European Union Member States.”
“In April last year, all 27 Member States agreed last year to an EU Framework for National Roma Integration Strategies up to 2020. It placed the onus on each Member State must develop a national Roma integration strategy or relevant policy measures to integrate Roma. Tomorrow’s meeting with representatives from Pavee Point will allow the Committee explore how Roma can be integrated better in EU societies with one of the leading advocates for Roma rights in Ireland.”
The meeting takes place tomorrow Tuesday 3 July at 2 p.m. in Committee Room 1, Leinster House 2000.
Committee proceedings can be viewed online via this link.
Follow the EU Affairs Committee Facebook page.
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Paul Hand,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +353 1 618 4484
M: +353 87 694 9926
Committee Membership
Deputies
Dominic Hannigan, TD (Chairman)
Paschal Donohoe, TD (Vice-Chairman)
Timmy Dooley, TD
Bernard J Durkan, TD
John Halligan, TD
Colm Keaveney, TD
Seán Kyne, TD
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn, TD
Joe O’Reilly, TD
Senators
Colm Burke,
Fidelma Healy Eames,
James Heffernan,
Terry Leyden,
Kathryn Reilly