in the area of criminal justice. "The object of the conference was to emphasise that the problem of itinerancy can only be solved by the humane treatment of the itinerants". Criticism has been made in retrospect that Ministerial commitment was not matched at local authority level. The 1983 Travelling People Review Body Report states that "compliance by some local authorities was marked by tardiness". The recommendations of having financial incentive, and a system of oversight to bypass "local political and community indifference" did not occur with the 1998 Act. One of the results of the 1963 Commission Report was the establishment of the National Council for Travelling People. The committee in Dublin was led by Fr. Tom Fehily, Victor Bewley, and Eleanor Butler. Pressure was maintained by this voluntary group on local municipal government to provide halting sites. "The provision by Local Authorities of serviced camping sites provides the necessary springboard for the itinerants. Such sites can act as a bridge between the itinerants and the settled community, and help both communities towards a mutual understanding." - The Irish Times, 15 December 1969 Public perception Causes for resentment Some halting sites become the source of resentment from other local residents because of examples of anti-social behaviour. Regular concerns include increased litter, vandalism, house robberies, begging, noise, loose horses and/or dogs, a build-up of discarded domestic waste and scrap metal. People have fears for their personal safety, household security as well as a fall in property value. A succession of news stories feature in the media about topics like, faction fighting, illegal dumping, storage of stolen goods, drug trafficking, paramilitarism, drunken aggression, and slave labour. These stories generate a negative image of the locality, and further worsen relations between Travellers and the settled community. The extent of feeling on the issue can be seen when on occasion people take legal action on proposed halting sites. In November 1987 a High Court challenge was successfully launched on the grounds that two planned halting sites were found to be in material contravention of the 1986 Dublin County Development Plan. Often feelings can be polarised because an effective campaign from Residents’ Associations gives an exaggerated perception to the extent of opposition. Media-savvy, articulate opponents with legal knowledge compound the distortion by claiming blanket support for their position. On occasion some unauthorised camps have seen vigilante incidents, which cause further deterioration in relations. General concerns