IN APRIL 2006, there were few of the world's states without a representative living in the Republic.
People from 188 different countries were recorded by the census taken that month, and their distribution showed there was not a town or village left untouched by the demographic revolution of the past decade.
Much as we already know about the extent of Ireland's diversity, the latest report from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) on the non-Irish population is a useful reminder of the remarkable depth of recent change. But perhaps more important is what it tells us about the internal diversity of newcomer groups for whom the lived reality of Irish society differs radically.
For example, while Nigerians are heavily urbanised, UK nationals live mainly in rural areas; the Polish are largely at work, but the Chinese are here to study; and while US nationals are concentrated in the higher social classes, those from states that joined the EU since 2004 tend to be working in manual skilled areas. Such distinctions are significant for policy-making. A report published by the Immigrant Council last month showed how differences in immigration status, income levels and socio-economic position can be among the most important determinants of an immigrant's ability to feel integrated in Irish life.
Of course, the census figures used for yesterday's CSO report are two years old, and the constantly shifting tides of modern migration mean we can assume that a snapshot taken today would look quite different. There is also the economic outlook to consider, with the ESRI last week projecting the outflow from the country will reach 20,000 next year, a level of net emigration not seen since 1990. But these observations are not an argument for ignoring the lessons that can be found in yesterday's report. Integration policy is more, not less important at a time of economic hardship, and rigorous studies such as these should be used to hone responses to problems faced by specific groups. For example, do difficulties in the transition from the asylum system partly explain why more than one in five Nigerian men were unemployed at the time of the 2006 census?
The Government's task is to ensure that those who have made Ireland their home have the opportunity to realise their potential, while averting the sort of nativistbacklash that other European countries have seen. Assuming that a slowing economy will ease that challenge by leading immigrants home would be a dangerous mistake. Our diversity is not temporary.