The Irish Traveller Movement has accused Minister for the Environment Martin Cullen of reneging on commitments given in relation to the criminal trespass povisions of the Housing Act. The Minister signed an Order this morning bringing the Act into operation.
Traveller Movement spokespersons say they were given a commitment by the Minister that no order would be signed until the Traveller Movement's concerns were brought to Cabinet, and also that the Traveller Movement would be fully informed of developments. None of this happened, they say.
David Joyce, National Accommodation Officer of the Irish Traveller Movement said this afternoon 'The government's actions today are despicable. They have reneged on their commitment to us which makes it impossible for us believe anything that they say in relation to Traveller issues.'
The Irish Traveller Movement will hold a picket outside the Department of the Environment and Local Government at 5.00pm to show its anger and disillusionment, the spokespersons said.
