Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 June 2020
377. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of his Department’s anti-racism committee; the dates the committee met over the past 12 months; the persons on the committee; the work the committee has undertaken in the past year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11289/20]
View answerI announced my intention to establish an Anti-Racism Committee with a mandate to review and make recommendations on strengthening the Government’s approach to combating racism, building on the actions currently included in the Migrant Integration Strategy and the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy last year. Professor Caroline Fennell, UCC Professor of Law and Commissioner with the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission was announced as Chair of the Committee in December 2019.
The specific terms of reference of the new Anti-Racism Committee are as follows:
- To review the current evidence on racial discrimination in Ireland;
- To examine international practice in combating racism;
- To hold stakeholder dialogues to identify the views of wider civil society; members of the public; members of the Oireachtas; the business sector; media and other relevant parties;
- To produce an interim report to Government not more than three months after its first meeting identifying priority issues and a programme of work for the Committee;
- Having regard to the review of evidence, international practice, research commissioned and the outcome of stakeholder dialogues, and taking account of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action; to provide a draft anti-racism strategy, containing a clear action plan, at the end of one year.
The remaining members of the Committee are being appointed and I understand that the Committee will hold its first meeting this week. In accordance with the Terms of Reference, the Committee will provide a preliminary report to Government no later than three months after the Committee first meets, with a full report due at the end of the first year.
The secretariat to the Committee will be provided by the Department of Justice and Equality.
It should be noted that Ireland has robust equality legislation that protects people from discrimination in the workplace, and in the provision of goods or services and allows them to take civil action.
Another important tool in addressing racism in Ireland is the Migrant Integration Strategy (MIS), which was launched in February 2017 and runs until end-2020. The MIS sets out the Government’s approach to the issue of migrant integration for the period to 2020. Targeting all migrants legally in the State, its 76 actions are delivered by government departments, local authorities, local communities, the business sector, sporting and arts organisations and NGOs across a number of policy areas relevant to the integration of migrants, including employment, education and social inclusion. The Strategy also addresses racism and xenophobia, representing a whole-of-Government approach.
