asked Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will direct the Irish Embassy to commission from the British Office of Population and Census Studies the following documentation relating to the 1991 British census, (1) the main tables pertaining to Irish-born people currently residing in Britain and (2) tables pertaining to those people who categorised themselves as Irish with regard to their ethnicity; and if he will provide a timetable for the commissioning of this documentation.
Written Answers. - 1991 British Census Documentation.
302.
I understand that the returns from the 1991 census in Britain will begin to appear from next month and that information regarding persons born in Ireland will be made public in due course.
As regards the question of ethnic classification the Deputy will be aware that the Irish were not among the groupings listed for ethnic classification in that census. He will recall that there were differing views within the Irish community on the desirability of a separate listing. The question of commissioning data relating to those who nevertheless identified themselves on the census form as of Irish ethnicity is under active consideration. While all useful information on the Irish community in Britain is to be welcomed, as the Deputy will appreciate, this data may not give an accurate representation of the Irish community in Britain, given the self-definition required.