íochána in 2009 was 126, a 27% reductionfrom the 2008 figure which was 172.
However, one racially motivated incident is one too many and we should
never become complacent in this regard.
We are now facing many new challenges, during this economic downturn.
Increasing numbers on the unemployment register and significant cuts in
public expenditure have impacted upon everybody living here.
We must be clear and unequivocal that racism has no place in our society
and we must be very careful not to scapegoat migrants. Oversimplified
discourses and unfounded accusations about immigrants merely serve to
create separation and division in our society and to deny the enrichment
which immigration has brought to our daily lives.
One of our greatest challenges is to use our available resources to achieve
the best and most efficient outcomes for all members of society including
migrants who have made a significant economic, social and cultural
contribution to this country over the last number of years.
In recognition of the importance of tackling the issue of racism, a number
of Government sponsored initiatives have been undertaken in recent times.
For example:
· The enactment of our Equality legislation and the establishment of
the Equality Authority and the Equality Tribunal;
· The launch of the National Action Plan Against Racism in 2005; and
· The establishment of my Office in 2007 to develop, drive and
co-ordinate Integration policy across Government Departments.
I want to take this opportunity to reaffirm that this Government maintains
our commitment, not only to tackling racism, but also to developing and
promoting a more diverse, inclusive and integrated society.
The National Action Plan Against Racism (2005- 2008) was designed to
provide strategic direction towards the achievement of a more intercultural
inclusive society in Ireland.
The Plan was integration driven and, under the Plan, support was provided
towards the development of a number of national and local strategies
promoting greater integration in our workplaces, in the Garda Síochána, the
health service, in our education system, in the arts and sports sectors and
within our local authorities.
Many of the initiatives which were instigated through the National Action
Plan Against Racism continue to be developed and progressed through the
support and work of my Office.
For example, the HSE Intercultural Health Strategy continues to be rolled
out to facilitate the delivery of healthcare in an inclusive, respectful
and fair way to minority communities.
The "Intercultural Education Strategy" will be launched in the coming
months following a lengthy research and consultation process.
My Office, in conjunction with the Equality Authority and the social
partners is also involved in implementing a Workplace Diversity
Initiative, as part of the Action Strategy for Integrated Workplaces.
This initiative involves providing practical supports in dealing with the
challenges of managing workplace diversity. More detailed information on
what the initiative entails is available on my Office's website -
www.integration.ie
I do not want to, in any way, downplay the importance of Central Government
Departments in the area of anti-racism and integration. Individual
departments have a responsibility in terms of the provision of services
appropriate to their own area. Specific measures can also be developed at a
national level to make services more accessible, such as the translation of
documentation. Details of multi-lingual resources are also available on
my website.
However, I am firmly of the view that it is at local level that integration
happens and that it is at this level that integration will ultimately
succeed or fail.
Local Authorities have responded in a positive fashion to the challenges
posed by the arrival of large numbers of migrants.
Many local authorities have adopted specific plans to promote integration
of migrants and others such as Galway City Council have now moved onto
Phase Two of these plans. I am delighted to note that Galway City Council
expect to launch their updated Plan later this month.
Last week I launched the Limerick City and County Integration Plan 2010
-2012. In February I also attended the launch of a new project outlining
some of the research findings of the Louth County Enterprise Board, Louth
Council and the County Louth PEACE and Reconciliation Partnership programme
strand, aimed at addressing Institutional Sectarianism and Racism in the
Workplace.
That is why significant funding is now being channelled from my Office to
local authorities to promote integration and to address anti-racism at a
local level through activities undertaken by the authorities themselves and
assistance given by them to local groups. In 2009, Local Authorities
benefited from nearly €1 million in funding from my Office.
I am also glad to note that many of the activities outlined in the Calendar
of events for the EU Anti-Racism Week are being supported by funding
provided by my Office to the Local Authorities.
My Office has also supported the Show Racism the Red Card creative
competition in schools and I look forward to attending the Awards Ceremony
next week.
Events such as the ones taking place this week will facilitate awareness
raising at a local level of the serious issue of racism and the importance
of promoting integration. They will also allow people of all ages to come
together and celebrate our new diversity through the enjoyment of music,
culture and sports.
The point has been well made that activities in these areas can play a
major role in encouraging integration, especially at local level.
That is why funding from my Office has also been given to major national
sporting organisations to assist them in integrating non-Irish nationals
into their activities. I think this is a excellent way to facilitate
newcomers to become involved in Irish society. In 2009, over €400,000 was
spent in this area.
My Office also provides funding for the annual Holocaust Memorial Day
commemoration. The Holocaust provides a platform from which every form of
discrimination and prejudice can be studied.
The experience of the Holocaust remains relevant in today's society and is
a constant reminder of the dangers of racism. It is significant in our
efforts to combat racism and discrimination on all levels and to stress the
importance of tolerance and respect for all people living in our society.
My Office has also supported the Holocaust Educational Trust in Ireland
with a number of programmes which provide for education and raising
awareness initiatives on the importance of integration and anti-racism.
National and Local level strategies are very important to the work of my
Office but we also need to ensure that we uphold our international
commitments with regards to the elimination of racial discrimination.
My Office had responsibility for the co-ordination and transmission of
Ireland's Combined Third and Fourth Report to the United Nations Committee
on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
The report was transmitted to the UNCERD Committee in December 2009. All
relevant Government Departments were consulted and contributed material for
the report.
Civil society groups and members of the public were also invited to submit
relevant comments which were used to inform the preparation of the report.
The report will be examined by the UNCERD Committee in due course, possibly
in February/March next year.
As a member of the European Union, Ireland shares a commitment with our
European partners to value and uphold human dignity, freedom, democracy and
equality. The ratification of the Lisbon Treaty has given legal status to
the Charter of Fundamental Rights, which reflects the Union's values and
underpins the rights of individuals across the Union.
Finally, I want to congratulate all of the groups who have organised events
throughout Ireland in recognition of this very important week. We all have
a role to play in addressing racism in our society. The work undertaken
this week illustrates some of the excellent initiatives and showcases the
work of the committed people who are working towards promoting and
celebrating diversity and inclusiveness on the ground.
Thank you.