Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I reject the Deputy's hollow criticism. She knows, having served in government as a Minister of State, that any legislation must be informed legislation. If we are to ensure this is the case, the starting point must be a review. I assure her that a review is under way in this instance. I expect that the review will result in legislation. I accept that this is an important and urgent matter.

The House will be aware of the existence of the Garda racial, intercultural and diversity office, which is responsible for co-ordinating, monitoring and advising on all aspects of policing Ireland's diverse communities. The office monitors the reporting and recording of hate and racist crime on a continual basis. The ethnic liaison officers who have been appointed by An Garda Síochána, which is currently receiving unprecedented resources from the Government, work with their counterparts in the racial, intercultural and diversity office to play a fundamental role in liaising with minority groups. The ethnic liaison officers around the State and the staff of the racial, intercultural and diversity office work in partnership to encourage tolerance, respect and understanding within communities, to help to prevent hate and racist crime and to provide advice and assistance to victims of hate or racist crime, as required.

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