In an economic downturn, combating racism must not be put on the back burner, writes LUCY GAFFNEY
YOU CAN see it in every city, town and village in Ireland: whether it is the eastern European supermarket, the African mother collecting her children from school, or the Chinese students doing part-time jobs to support their studies - Irish society has been transformed by large-scale immigration in recent years.
The latest report from the Central Statistics Office on the number of foreign nationals living in Ireland further demonstrates the remarkable level of diversity that now exists among a population of little over four million people.
Notwithstanding the sizeable number of UK nationals among the 420,000 non-Irish people residing in the State, representatives from almost every country on earth now live, work, study, and raise families here in Ireland.
Could there be any other country on the planet of similar size or population that accommodates such diversity?
Much of this immigration has taken place as a direct result of the economic prosperity we have experienced over the last 10-15 years. However, for the first time in a decade we are experiencing an economic downturn that will have a direct impact on many of those who have opted to come and make their lives in Ireland.
The general assumption is that many of them will simply return home or move elsewhere for employment. This may be true for a section of casual workers, but with the CSO data showing that almost 42 per cent of the non-Irish population is married, a significant number of them are probably settled and raising families here.
In this regard for those of us involved in the immigration, multiculturalism and integration sector, the initial challenge of accommodating new arrivals to the country has evolved into ensuring that the diversity we have achieved is maintained and developed for the long-term benefit of Ireland's economy and society.
Moreover, it is also about ensuring that we avoid the situation that has emerged in many other European countries in recent years, whereby the frustrations of the local population in less prosperous times are vented against immigrant communities.
For that reason the Lisbon Treaty rejection is of concern. As yet, the impact of immigration as a factor in the No vote has not been accurately quantified. With some polls saying it was a minimal factor and other surveys saying it contributed to up to 10 per cent of the No vote, the precise influence is not known. However, anecdotal feedback suggests the issue was a factor in influencing the outcome.
It is timely, therefore, for the Government to take a fresh look at its own anti-racism and integration policies to find out if enough is being done across all departments and agencies to ensure that the scourge of racism is eliminated in this country.
The National Action Plan Against Racism was established four years ago to ensure that racism has no place in Irish society. In the 3½ years it has been in existence, it has achieved much. It has funded and supported many organisations and schemes that have promoted cultural diversity across all aspects of Irish life. It has also commissioned research into Ireland's new immigrant population.
The work of the National Action Plan Against Racism will conclude at the end of this year. The establishment of the Office of the Minister for Integration should ensure continuity in the area of anti-racism and multiculturalism and mean that integration remains at the heart of Government policy.
The National Action Plan Against Racism was established on the basis of the five pillars of Protection, Inclusion, Provision, Recognition and Participation. Under each of these pillars, specific action was called for and agreed with each government department. This action ranged from increased North/South co-operation to combat racism islandwide; the updating of employment and equality legislation to take into account more culturally diverse workplaces; and the development of intercultural education strategies, particularly aimed at primary and second level.
If we are to achieve a more integrated society and to avoid the conflicts and tensions that have existed between people from different ethnic backgrounds in other European countries, then we must ensure that anti-racism policies are not put on the back burner.
Implementing all the commitments given under the National Action Plan Against Racism before the end of the year would send a clear message that the Government is determined to address this important issue, and not simply pay lip-service to it.
• Lucy Gaffney is chair of National Action Plan Against Racism