Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 March 2004
136 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will give an outline of the responsibilities of newcomers to Ireland, which it is his intention the Reception and Integration Agency will assist newcomers to Ireland to take on board as part of their participation in the economic, social and cultural aspects of Irish society, as referred to by him in his response to Question No. 16 of 26 February 2004. [9460/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs I indicated to the Deputy in my response to Question No. 16 of 26 February 2004, the Reception and Integration Agency, or RIA, of my Department is responsible for the co-ordination and implementation of integration policy in the case of persons with refugee status or with leave to remain in the State. As the Deputy will be aware, that cohort of immigrants constitutes a relatively small proportion of the entire immigrant population in the State.
As regards the specific responsibilities of immigrants to the State and, in particular, those immigrants who are likely to become long-term residents of the State by virtue of being recognised as refugees or by virtue of being given leave to remain, I draw the Deputy's attention to the report by the interdepartmental working group on the integration of refugees in Ireland, Integration — A Two Way Process. That 1999 report defined integration as "the ability to participate to the extent that a person needs and wishes in all of the major components of society, without having to relinquish his or her own cultural identity." Moreover, the report goes on to state that, as a two-way process, "integration places an obligation on both society and the individual refugee. From the refugee's perspective, integration requires a willingness to adapt to the lifestyle of Irish society without abandoning or being expected to abandon one's own cultural identity. From the point of view of Irish society, it requires a willingness to accept refugees on the basis of equality and to take action to facilitate access to services, resources and decision-making in parity with Irish nationals".
