MEP calls for minister for minority integration

A ministerial portfolio to oversee the integration of the ethnic minorities into Irish society needs to be established, Fianna Fáil MEP Eoin Ryan claimed today.

Speaking at the launch of Intercultural Week in Ireland, Mr Ryan said there was a need to ensure that integration and not ghettoisation takes place in Ireland.

He said: "The only way to ensure successful integration is to learn from the ghettoised areas of Leeds Bradford and Paris and the explosive situations that occurred there when they were on the cusp of cultural change, and resolve instead to emulate the actions of Sweden, Austria, Denmark, Portugal where real integration is in progress."

"We need to put a process in place now because integration is a permanent, positive reality for us - we need to embrace it responsibly and appoint a government minister with special responsibility for integration," he added.

Intercultural week is an all-island initiative co-ordinated by the National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism (NCCRI) and the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland (ECNI).

It coincides with the United Nations' designated International Day Against Racism which takes place tomorrow.

The theme for the Intercultural Week this year is "Participation" and several events across the State will celebrate diversity and promote participation in Irish life.

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform Michael McDowell said: "The high level of participation throughout the island of Ireland reflects how diverse cultures are being embraced by communities and groups north and south,"

Mr McDowell said: "The celebration of events such as the Kurdish New Year and an Intercultural Ethnics Foods Day is an example of the positive impact new and varied cultures are having in our society".