The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs has expressed serious concern at the growing level of racism and a public intolerance of refugees and foreigners arriving in Ireland. Ms Liz O'Donnell, who has responsibility for Human Rights and Development Aid, was ad dressing the Oireachtas Committee on Development Co-operation yesterday.
It was vital that Government policy in this area was not perceived as "oppressive, arbitrary or xenophobic", she said.
"It appears the cost argument is frequently canvassed, quite inappropriately, and this in turn can ferment racial intolerance against refugees and others," she said.
"We will of course, fulfil our obligations to asylum-seekers under international human rights conventions to which we are party. Discrimination has no place in our system and the rights and dignity of all who visit us, whatever their circumstances, must be safeguarded."
Ireland should be scrupulously fair at all times and must "develop policies for accommodating ethnic minorities in Ireland as is fitting in a true republic".
"I believe strong advocacy is required against racism and in favour of a generosity and courtesy towards those who are fleeing persecution and conflict in their home places. If there was ever a time that this country could afford to be generous, it is now," she said.
Referring to development co-operation, Ms O'Donnell said Ireland's programme was one of the fastest growing in the world. This year's allocation of £137 million represented 0.32 per cent of GNP, and the Government's firm objective was the achievement of 0.45 per cent of GNP by 2002.
Ireland was also keen to play its part in helping partner countries to develop their economies by creating the necessary capital and conditions for private sector development, Ms O'Donnell said.