Newly built social homes sitting idle for over 8 months in Wexford

Where exactly did I condone this toxic, filthy, misogynistic culture?

A very good point.

People have agency, they are not helpless.

Yet we seem to treat many people (not just travellers) as if they are helpless.

Schools and colleges are open, there are loads of jobs available.

Instead, we tell people: "you are a victim, you are helpless, your high unemployment rate is not your fault".

That attitude doesn't help.

Can you point out the specific sentences where I condoned toxic, filthy, misogynistic culture please?

I think that there must be an extra article left out of the negotiations:

All houses fitted with a fire hydrant should twin said fire hydrant to a Tap so that family members who remain nomadic can park their caravans on the street. There.

Can you point out the specific sentences where I supported Traveller culture please?

Go back and read my posts. They’re quite clear.

And ask yourself why you jumped to wild conclusions with no evidence.

Which bit of my fairly simple point on equality did you have difficulty understanding?

The thing I don’t understand about your point of view is why you think you haven’t decided anything when it’s patently obvious you have decided that you will associate criminality with traveller culture. You’re cherry picking data, that’s not nearly the same thing as the data speaking for itself when it’s your own very specific interpretation of what data on traveller culture is available.

But fair enough you don’t teach traveller children, and there are many more reasons for that too that have nothing to do with traveller culture and everything to do with discrimination based upon prejudice, but, even leaving that much aside, I think it’s being unfair to you to assume you’d actually allow your personal opinions of travellers to influence your professional behaviour. I’m guessing you don’t teach children that criminality is an aspect of traveller culture, and the knowledge of traveller culture you impart to the children is more along the lines of this kind of thing -

Cultural values and traditions

Nomadism has been described as a core value of Traveller culture. This does not necessarily imply the intention to keep travelling but rather as Michael McDonagh, a Navan Traveller, says, "nomadism entails a way of looking at the world, a different way of perceiving things, a different attitude to accommodation, to work and to life in general." Just as settled people remain settled people even when they travel, Travellers remain Travellers even when they are not travelling. Maintaining family ties and linking with the extended family are central to the Traveller way of life, and their lives are organised around this. The Traveller’s very identity requires "keeping in touch," and this in turn requires travel.

Traveller culture also includes a tradition of self-employment, occupational flexibility, and economic adaptation. A strong faith and distinctive customs around death and marriage are an important part of Traveller life. There has been an oral transmission of culture from generation to generation, and Travellers have also played a significant role as bearers of the wider culture. Travellers’ story-telling, singing and music tradition are distinctive and worthy of note.

Language

Travellers have a language of their own. The academic name for the language is Shelta; Travellers call it Gammon or Cant. This language is known not only to Irish Travellers born here and in Britain but also by the descendants of Irish Travellers who emigrated to America before the Great Famine.

Distinct and different

Because of Travellers’ common ancestry, cultural values, and other aspects of their life-style, Travellers are seen by themselves and others as distinct and different. Like Travellers and Gypsies all over the world, their relationship with settled society shows a pattern of discrimination and exclusion.