Irish Travellers Movement

Traveller Legal Resource Pack 1 - Introduction

Introduction

Irish Traveller Movement (ITM)

ITM was established in 1990 and now has over ninety Traveller organisations from all parts of Ireland in its membership. The ITM consists of a partnership between Travellers and settled people committed to seeking full equality for Travellers in Irish society. This partnership is reflected in all of the structures of ITM.

The ITM was formed to be a national platform, through which Travellers and their organisations are enabled to:

• Debate ideas and formulate and promote culturally appropriate initiatives
• Highlight the issues faced by Travellers and to press for real solutions
• Provide those active at a local level with support and solidarity
• Develop alliances at national level. Challenge the many forms of individual structural and institutional racism with which Travellers have to deal.

      

The Irish Traveller Movement has in its membership over 90 Traveller organisations from all parts of the island of Ireland, and has established contact with Irish Traveller groups in Britain. Membership is open to all those who support the aims and objectives of the movement.
The Irish Traveller Movement Legal Unit (ITMLU)

The Irish Traveller Movement Legal Unit was set up on a pilot basis for three years in 2003.The overall aim of the unit is to promote Travellers’ human and legal rights as a minority ethnic group within Irish Society. The Legal Unit provides information to individuals and Traveller organisations on Travellers legal issues.

Support to access legal services is provided to all Travellers who contact the Unit. Where the applicant raises an issue of strategic importance to the Traveller community assistance may be provided to obtain legal representation on a reduced fee basis.

The Legal Unit develops policy in the area of Travellers and their legal rights, and campaigns for change in laws that impact negatively on the Traveller Community. ITMLU also engages in research and has developed strategic links with policy makers, service providers, and centres of expertise in relation to issues of equality.
The Legal Pack

This Legal Pack contains information about legal rights relevant to the Traveller community. The pack is a reference point for Traveller groups as it provides the 'know how' to respond to legal issues as they emerge within groups. The pack is part of a the Legal Units’ project to increase Travellers’ access to legal representation and access to their rights. In each section there is website addresses to obtain further information.

Contents of the Pack

1. Section One: The Irish Legal System

• How laws are made
• Other sources of Irish law with a brief description of the Constitution
• European law and Conventions
• Irish Court System with a description of each court
• The legal profession outlining the role of barristers and solicitors,
• Civil and Criminal Legal Aid
• Building up a correspondence file including the freedom of information and how to access it
• Costs

2. Section Two: Traveller Culture

• Definition of Culture, Ethnicity and Racism
• Position of Travellers as an Ethnic Group
• Relevant Laws
• Accessing rights: Promoting cultural rights

3. Section Three: Traveller Accommodation

• Definition of Traveller accommodation
• Responsibility for Provision
• Relevant laws (Housing Acts, Landlord and Tenant, Licences, Private Rented) and rights and obligations of tenants and landlords in the public and private sector. This part includes issues of anti-social behaviour and the powers of local authorities to act in such cases.
• Accessing rights: A step by step guide to dealing with accommodation issues.

4. Section Four: Discrimination

• Definition of discrimination (direct and indirect) and definition of Travellers as defined in the Equality legislation
• Relevant Laws
• Bodies charged with implementing the Equality legislation
• Accessing rights: A step by step guide to using the Equality legislation

5. Section Five: Evictions

    * Definition of evictions
    * Relevant laws
    * Accessing rights: A step by step guide to dealing with evictions.

6. Section Six: Planning

• Background
• Relevant Laws
• Applying for Planning Permission
• Enforcement Procedures
• Accessing rights: Steps to deal with Planning issues

7. Section Seven: Gardaí

• Role of Gardaí
• Powers of the Gardaí
• Accessing Rights: Information on Rights and obligations

8. Section Eight: Sample Forms / Information

The following forms and information are included in the Pack:

• FLAC Centres and Legal Advice Centres
• Legal Aid Application form
• Freedom of Information Request form
• ODEI 2
• ODEI 5
• List of Garda Ethnic Liason Officers
• District Court Civil Summons
• Accommodation Assessment Form