Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 3 Oct 2001

Vol. 541 No. 2

Written Answers. - Racial Attacks.

John Gormley

Ceist:

101 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has concerns regarding the reported increase in attacks on the Muslim community as a result of the terrorist attacks in America; his plans to address this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22272/01]

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

I am aware of some media reports which have suggested that the recent appalling terrorist attacks in the United States of America may have acted as some kind of spur, albeit of a distorted and sickening kind, to the committal of offences against members of the Muslim community here.

I am, naturally, deeply concerned to learn of such reports. However, I understand from the Garda authorities that there is no evidence to indicate that victimisation incidents among members of the Muslim community have increased since the terrorist attacks. Having said this, I acknowledge as real the fears of individual members of the Muslim community.

The Garda authorities further inform me that, since 11 September, two incidents have been reported to the Garda Síochána where the injured parties were Muslims. The first incident concerns the sending of a threatening letter on 18 September and this is currently under Garda investigation. The second incident relates to an alleged assault on 20 September. In connection with this incident, a person has been arrested and charged with an offence under section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences against the Person Act, 1997, and the matter is currently before the courts.

I am assured by the Garda Síochána that it understands the particular concerns of the Muslim community arising from recent events in America and that it is satisfied that the measures currently in place to meet that community's needs are adequate. On a broader perspective, over the past four years, the Government has introduced comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation and other measures to combat racism and discrimination. Both the Employment Equality Act, 1998, and the Equal Status Act, 2000, contain a broad definition of race that covers race, colour, nationality or ethnic or national origins.

The National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism, in partnership with a range of non-government organisations, has organised a system of reporting racist incidents with the aim of providing a profile of the number, type and location of incidents that are occurring and to identify emerging trends. The Garda Síochána has been similarly proactive in devising strategies to deal with policing issues in a multicultural society, one measure of which is the establishment of the Garda racial and intercultural office. The function of this office is to liaise with racial and ethnic groups and so move diversity issues into the mainstream of contemporary policing practice. Last October, the Government agreed to my proposal to implement a national anti-racism public awareness programme with the overall aim of contributing to creating the conditions for building a more inclusive and intercultural society. In February, I announced the composition of the high level steering group to implement the programme, in partnership with the equality division of my Department.

In May, the steering group launched a grant scheme to assist minority ethnic and religious groups, including the Muslim community, which are working to combat racism. I understand that the steering group has already sent a message to the Islamic Cultural Centre in Clonskeagh expressing solidarity during these difficult times and I know that the Taoiseach expressed similar sentiments when he visited that centre last Monday.

I am determined to ensure that the uncertainty and misunderstandings which may have arisen from recent events in America do not translate into intemperate and ignorant reactions indiscriminately addressed to the Muslim community here. I am confident that the range of measures currently in place will achieve this goal.

Question No. 102 lapsed.