Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising both of these issues. On the anti-racism committee, as the Deputy has rightly outlined, it was announced and formed in June by my predecessor, Deputy Flanagan. I thank him for his work in this role. Its terms of reference have a wide scope. It is there to review the current evidence on racial discrimination in Ireland, to examine international practice in combating racism, to hold stakeholder dialogues and to identify the views of wider civil society, members of the public, Members of the Oireachtas, the business sector, media and other relevant parties. It is to produce an interim report to Government not more than three months after its first meeting identifying priority issues and a programme of work for the committee. Obviously, a lot of things have been delayed because of Covid-19. The committee will broadly consult on developing new ideas for fighting racism and recommending an action plan for Government.

We expect that this work will probably take a year. I understand that the committee's first meeting took place via Zoom on Thursday, 18 June. It was addressed by the former Minister and the Minister of State, Deputy Stanton.

I will address the specific matter of the individual mentioned. In determining the membership of the anti-racism committee, my Department was very eager to gain a wide range of experience for the reasons outlined in the terms of reference. The individual to whom the Deputy referred has been appointed to the anti-racism committee in a personal capacity. It is because of her considerable expertise at a senior management level in promoting diversity and inclusion inside and outside the workplace. She has demonstrated a strong leadership role in championing diversity and inclusion in leadership roles within the corporate sector in Ireland and is very personally committed. For her work in the area, she was made a Chevalier de l'Ordre National du Mérite by the French ambassador to Ireland. As a member of the anti-racism committee, I do not believe that she as an individual represents the interest of any particular company.

Deputy Bríd Smith referred to a company, Sodexo. I think she referred to it in the context of the United Kingdom. However, Sodexo in Ireland was awarded the gold standard in excellence through people by the National Standards Authority of Ireland in 2018. It was also voted one of the best large work practices in Ireland in 2018 by the Great Places to Work Institute. This individual will bring something very significant to this role. That is what we have tried to achieve in the membership of the committee, and ensuring that it will fulfil the terms of reference and carry out the work we have asked it to do.

See this speech in context