H.E. Mr. Vanja Filipovic:

On the population of people from Bosnia and Herzegovina in Ireland, the number is between 1,000 and 2,000, the majority of whom were refugees who came from harm, and escaped war and persecution. In the 1990s they found home and shelter in this beautiful country. They found the very warm support of people like Mr. Coonan, who I recognised as a great friend of our country, working with our diaspora here. They are very well integrated and are enjoying their lives here. They have found understanding and support on so many levels. This is also thanks to Government policies in this regard. We are proud they are making a major contribution to Irish society.