Jim O'Keeffe
Ceist:13 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform if he has conducted or intends to conduct any survey on the extent of racial discrimination in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Racial Discrimination.
I have not conducted any survey on the extent of racial discrimination. However, in the context of the preparation of new employment equality legislation, I have conducted wide consultations with various interest groups on discrimination in a range of areas, including racial discrimination. I intend to carry out similar consultations in the preparation of equal status legislation.
Will the Minister state whether it is possible to determine the extent of racial discrimination here? Has a survey been carried out to establish this information? Is there information as to how we rate in relation to other countries in terms of racial discrimination? Are we talking about a matter which does not exist, or perhaps exists in great abundance?
Racial discrimination may take varying forms. I am not aware of the existence of any specific nationwide survey in this area. Certainly this country is not entirely free form racial discrimination — few countries are. The Harmony organisation instances cases from time to time. Perhaps we are remiss in that we did not introduce anti-discrimination legislation sooner, as was done in many other countries. Even if racial discrimination exists to a very small degree — I believe it is a small degree — I am sure all members agree that legislation should be on the Statute Book to outlaw and prohibit it and to provide sanctions in respect of it. I am aware of a number of isolated cases over the years, but this is neither the time nor the place to go into them in detail. The cases were dealt with within the parameters of existing legislation, which is insufficient and unsatisfactory to deal with some aspects of racial material circulated on occasion. In accordance with the Programme for Government I am anxious to proceed with the legislation as soon as possible.
I accept the Minister's assurance that we are on the side of the angels in terms of racial discrimination and that there is only a few isolated instances of it. However, will the Minister state whether he has any proposals to ensure the elimination of racial discrimination, or at least its reduction to the least possible extent?
The most important way of dealing with this matter will be by way of legislation. One should try to highlight it as far as possible. Discrimination of all kinds applies — for example, it has come to my notice that members of the travelling community are not served in many public houses and that people in wheelchairs are not admitted——
Nor are babies.
Perhaps, although that is not racial discrimination nonetheless it is indicative of discrimination in many respects. There has been legislation to deal with this matter since the mid-seventies in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and other countries; it is regrettable that only now in the 1990s we are getting around to introducing such legislation here.
Will the Minister agree it is a matter of regret that white immigrants to this country who have doubtful status are rarely, if ever, committed to Mountjoy prison while people with darker skins, seem to end up there with frightening regularity? Racial discrimination applies in a subtle way in our immigration laws and perhaps the Government, in dealing with this matter, would start in this area. It is unacceptable that Americans, Canadians, Norweigans and Scandinavians who present themselves at Irish airports without a visa are less likely to end up in Mountjoy than people with darker pigmentation.
If statistics show that what Deputy McDowell says is correct it is totally unacceptable and should not happen in any civilised western society.
Is the Minister aware that there is a whiff of discrimination and intolerance about the manner in which the Department of Justice, not only now but in years gone by, dealt with asylum applications, that there is an undercurrent of prejudice evident in the manner in which it approaches such matters? It is documented that in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s the Department of Justice discriminated against people of the Jewish faith who sought to come to Ireland and applied a particularly harsh approach to applications who sought asylum in this country. Is the Minister aware that there is a suspicion that a similar approach is now being taken to other minorities? If the Minister is serious about dealing with this matter the Government should first clean up its own house.
I agree that our record on refugees in decades past is not as desirable as it might have been. I understand that the Minister for Justice has given a commitment to introduce legislation to update the position in that regard as quickly as possible.
The Minister was not here on the night of the vote on this matter.
Given that the Minister accepts that our reputation in terms of asylum law is abysmal, why did he not intervene? What input at Cabinet level did he have when the refugee Bill was voted down by his Cabinet colleagues?
I do not see how that is relevant to this question.
It is totally relevant. The Minister is being disingenuous if he is serious about eliminating racism. He should do a survey on the racism and xenophobia exhibited by some members of the partnership Government during that debate.
I do not know what that is supposed to mean.
Mr. O'Keeffe
Has the Minister any input on asylum for refugees? Is it solely a matter for the Minister for Justice? Can the Minister give us any assurances on the matter after the disgraceful performance of his colleagues in Government in voting down a Fine Gael Bill on that issue?
Deputy O'Keeffe's question deals with a survey of the extent of racial discrimination in Ireland. I have dealt with that adequately. On the question of new legislation, I understand that it comes within the ambit of the Minister for Justice and she has dealt with that subject.
Very inadequately.
The Minister is running away from the issue.
I am moving on to question No. 14.