Council of Europe experts on national minorities have urged the Irish authorities to improve the situation of Traveller and Roma communities in the country, whilst also welcoming progress on a number of issues. The Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities has published its latest opinion assessing Ireland's implementation of the Framework Convention. Overall, the Advisory Committee considers that Irish society continues to show respect for diversity, welcoming the recent adoption of various strategies and action plans - notably the long-awaited National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy 2024-2028.
The Advisory Committee notes that significant efforts have been made to improve access to education for Traveller and Roma children in Ireland, but preventing school dropouts should be further addressed. It also describes the National Traveller Health Action Plan as a positive, timely and welcomed policy. Nevertheless, the generally positive atmosphere in the country clashes with attitudes of the majority population towards people from the Traveller and Roma communities, who still suffer from various forms of discrimination, prejudice and institutional racism.
The new opinion, which includes a number of recommendations for immediate action, has been published together with the comments of the Irish authorities.
The Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities and Ireland
