Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 5 May 1999

Vol. 504 No. 2

Written Answers. - Anti-Racism Measures.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

85 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the serious concern at increases in racist attacks expressed by organisations such as the Union of Nigerian Citizens resident in Ireland; if he will condemn these attacks; the proposals, if any, he has to initiate programmes to address attitudes that lead to these attacks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11557/99]

John Gormley

Question:

291 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to a survey published in a newspaper (details supplied) stating that only nine per cent of asylum seekers surveyed described racial integration and tolerance in Ireland as good or very good; the measures, if any, his Department proposes to rectify this problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11508/99]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 85 and 291 together.

Yes, I have examined the newspaper article in question. The situation regarding racism is cause for great concern to me. I have taken a number of steps to combat racism and intolerance towards minority ethnic groups including asylum seekers and refugees residing in Ireland.

In July 1998, I established a National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism. The committee is a partnership of non-governmental organisations, NGOs, State agencies, social partners and Government Departments. The objective of the committee is to provide an ongoing structure to develop programmes and actions aimed at developing an integrated approach against racism and to advise the Government on matters relating to racism and interculturalism. The committee will also endeavour to promote a more participative and intercultural society which is inclusive of persons such as refugees, travellers and other minority ethnic groups in Ireland. A sum of £21,000 was provided to the consultative committee to fund its programme of activities in 1998 and an allocation of £90,000 has been provided in 1999. The committee has also been provided with office premises and facilities in Dublin.

The committee's programme for the first quarter of 1999 included anti-racism training for certain civil servants dealing with minority groups, a seminar on the forthcoming Human Rights Commission and submissions, the setting up of a website, arranging a visit by groups from Northern Ireland, the establishment of a refugee and asylum seeker sub group, round table discussions on the integration of refugees and on monitoring the Legal Aid Service in the One Stop Shop.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that all student and probationer gardaí receive instruction in the area of race relations as part of their two year education and training programme. Specifically, the social studies element of the programme deals with discrimination, prejudice and stereotyping. It includes a seminar on ethnicity, traveller culture and discrimination against the travelling community. Pavee Point make a presentation at this seminar. The social studies course also covers instruction in human rights conferred by the Constitution and European Convention on Human Rights and deals with policing and human rights. The legal studies element of the training and education programme provides instruction in the relevant provisions of the Prohibition of Incitement to Hatred Act, 1989. In addition, all gardaí who act as immigration officers have received additional training from the UNHCR.

As recently as last week, the Garda authorities hosted an international conference, co-funded by the EU Commission and the Government, entitled "providing a police service in a developing multi-ethnic and multi-cultural Ireland". The Garda authorities are determined to learn from the experience of other countries in policing a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural society. In particular, the training currently provided to student and probationer gardaí will be reviewed and enhanced in the light of the outcomes of this conference.

The Employment Equality Act, 1998, which is expected to come into operation later this year, will outlaw discrimination on a number of grounds including race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin. Revised equal status legislation was published on 15 April 1999 and is expected to be enacted into law within the coming months. The Equal Status Bill, 1999, prohibits discrimination in non-employment areas, such as education, the provision of goods and services and accommodation on the same grounds as the Employment Equality Act, 1998