(Dublin West): I wish to share my time with Deputy Fitzgerald.
Adjournment Debate. - Racially Motivated Attacks.
Is that agreed? Agreed.
(Dublin West): David Richardson lies seriously ill in St. James's Hospital since an appalling and brutal attack on him in Pearse Street in Dublin on Sunday, 11 June. He was attacked because he was part of a mixed race family group, including his spouse and son, who are black people. Being visitors to Dublin they were walking to their accommodation, where David Richardson's son, Christian, lives and works. After crude racial taunts and abuse Mr. Richardson was repeatedly stabbed.
The vast majority of people on this island, on Pearse Street and in Dublin are appalled at this attack. I understand from St. James's Hospital tonight that Mr. Richardson is breathing on his own again. His prognosis is, therefore, much better and we wish him a full recovery.
However, we must see where lies responsibility for this. Primarily it lies with the incredibly brutal people who carried out this attack, but we must look elsewhere also. The Richardsons were visitors to this island. They are British citizens; they are not seeking asylum, but I believe that because many asylum seekers are not white and have been denigrated consistently in sections of the media and elsewhere in recent years, this has created a climate which allows certain twisted minds to believe that attacks like this are legitimate. The bigoted attack by certain politicians on people seeking refuge here, which demonises coloured people who are among the asylum seekers, can be justification in twisted minds, for barbarism against people of different ethnic origin. The policy of fingerprinting asylum seekers, which the Government proposes, puts people in a category of criminals and, in twisted minds, brands coloured people as isolated and somehow different. The prohibition on incitement to hatred legislation should be used to hammer any individual, politician or media outlet which fosters any racial denigration.
Definitive action to foster multi-culturalism and racial and ethnic harmony must be undertaken immediately with sufficient funds and investment from the Government. There should be investment in infrastructure to provide proper accommodation, health services, etc., for all our people in order that people of different ethnic origins are not seen to be in contention for those resources, and there should be investment in schools and the education system so that there is also an abundance of what is needed for people of all cultures and ethnic groups. This would be a huge assistance in cutting out the perfidious poison of racism which the vast majority of our people oppose, which was responsible for this appalling attack.
I thank Deputy Higgins for sharing his time with me on this important adjournment debate. As a Deputy for Dublin South-East, I express my horror and outrage, and offer my sympathy to the Richardson family for their appalling experience on the streets of Dublin. I hope Mr. Richardson makes good progress from this appalling attack, and recovers.
This is the latest in a series of unprovoked attacks on the streets of Dublin. When I asked the Minister about this in the Dáil some weeks ago, he told me there had been 27 reported attacks on young men in the Dublin area. What we are seeing now is racist attacks. I agree entirely with what Deputy Higgins said, that this is a sad and most unfortunate development.
I hope everybody in this House shares the view that we must do everything we can to interrupt the climate of racism in behaviour and attitudes which we are seeing developing in Ireland. It is extremely important that the Government would put whatever resources it can into tackling this issue, that the fund, of which the Minister has spoken, would become available as soon as possible to start a strong public information and awareness campaign, and that everything will be done to show leadership in this area to ensure that this sort of incident will not happen again on the streets of Dublin.
Since I raised this issue in the Dáil some weeks ago, I have heard many stories, as the Minister will be aware, from parents of young people who have been violently and savagely attacked on the streets. It is extremely important that there is a package of measures which will begin to address this.
We must take the matter seriously, and I would encourage people to report these attacks to the Garda in order that it gets a full picture of what is happening. A package of measures, including serious action by the Garda, additional surveillance and patrolling, is needed and if this is to be tackled properly, the issue of public transport must be addressed too.
I too express my horror and revulsion, and that of the Government, at the savage and senseless attack on Mr. Richardson. I know that all right thinking members of the community were appalled and shocked by this attack as he was leaving the city centre with his family after a social evening in the nation's capital. Our thoughts are with the Richardson family at this very difficult time for them.
I regard attacks of this nature with the utmost seriousness. The Garda Commissioner and the force share my concern and have indicated to me that the Garda is resolute in its determination to bring the perpetrator or the perpetrators of this appalling crime to justice with the greatest possible speed.
As far as I am concerned, and I have made this clear to the Garda authorities, neither I nor the Government will be found wanting in providing resources – should these be required – to investigate crimes of this nature.
The Garda authorities advise me that a person is now before the courts in respect of charges relating to this attack. In the meantime, the Garda investigation is continuing. Clearly, in the circumstances, it is not possible for me to comment further at this stage on this incident as the matter is now sub judice.
I remind the House that any comments which could be seized upon in another forum and which by virtue of having been made here could lead to an outcome which none of us wish should be avoided at all costs. I would also ask that those outside this House when making comment on this matter be equally mindful of the requirements of due process and natural justice.
On the general issue of racism, the House will know that I have taken and will continue to take steps to ensure that the evils of racism are not allowed to take root in the State. That there have already been racist attacks here is something which everybody in this House and all right thinking people must condemn without equivocation. I am aware that these attacks have led to concerns in asylum and refugee communities and among overseas students and immigrants generally for their personal safety and that of their friends and relatives.
Several initiatives have been taken by the Garda authorities. Each Garda district officer within the Dublin Metropolitan Region has been appointed as district liaison officer to liaise with persons subjected to racist attacks and harassment. Each superintendent is available to meet any person who has been subjected to a racist attack, or who has concerns in this area. District and divisional officers ensure that there is a systematic monitoring of such incidents. There is close liaison between the Garda and groups representing immigrants and asylum seekers. Divisional and district officers avail of every opportunity to ensure personnel under their control are sensitive to the concerns of minority race communities in Dublin and elsewhere in the State.
The Garda authorities are determined to learn from the experience of other countries in policing a changing society. They have hosted two international police conferences on the subject. The training currently provided to student and probationer Garda is being reviewed in the light of these conferences. Currently, all student and probationer Garda receive instruction in the area of race relations as part of their two-year education and training programme.
The establishment of an inter-cultural office in Garda community relations section is another important development which demonstrates the commitment of the Garda to preparing itself for dealing with this important issue. It will be clear to the House that the Garda Siochána is fully aware of the problems and has been at the forefront of developing comprehensive and effective initiatives in this regard.
Stamping out racism is a wider issue than one which my Department and the Garda Siochána alone can address, and there is a need to foster an attitude of tolerance and an understanding of ethnic and cultural diversity.
For my part, two years ago I established the National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism. This committee is a partnership of NGOs, State agencies, social partners and representatives of Departments. I then established an interdepartmental working group in December 1998 to formulate a strategy for implementing the Government's policy of responding positively to the needs of persons granted refugee status or leave to remain. The group recently finalised its report, which has been accepted by Government as the framework for integration policy in Ireland. Work is already progressing on the proposals put forward in the report.
The Government has agreed on the need for initiatives to combat racist attacks through informing public opinion and promoting a more tolerant inclusive society. It has approved proposals for an evaluation of the strategy and resources needed to plan, implement and review the development of such initiatives. The National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism is currently carrying out the evaluation, which will be completed shortly. I have already ear-marked significant funding for the State's first major campaign to prevent and combat racism, and to promote better understanding of those in our communities who appear to be different.
As the House will be aware, last November I launched the "True Colours" initiative, a two-week programme aimed at making Irish society more inclusive of ethnic minorities. The programme, which was co-ordinated by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism, aimed to stimulate a more considered debate on what strategies are needed to respond more effectively to the needs of minority ethnic groups. Over 65 events took place at national, regional and local levels at which community groups, schools and other organisations were encouraged to participate.
With regard to unprovoked assaults in general, I assure the House that no effort will be spared in bringing the perpetrators to justice. The Garda authorities have responded to such attacks with increased high visibility patrolling in areas with identified problems and areas where large numbers of young people congregate. In addition, all members of the Garda Síochána have been instructed to utilise their powers under public order legislation to full effect when dealing with such incidents. Crime prevention advice on this matter is also given to young males through the schools programme, where appropriate.
I assure the House that the Government does not underestimate the threat posed to our society by racism. Racism is unworthy of our country and our people. It is a violation of our most basic democratic values. I will continue to use every possible means to protect ethnic minorities and the general public from this threat. I want the House to join with me in sending out this message loud and clear to the very small minority in our midst who seek to besmirch all our names with their unacceptable and barbarous behaviour.
The Dáil adjourned at 11.12 p.m. until 10.30 a.m. on Thursday, 15 June 2000.