Seanad debates

Tuesday, 11 November 2003

Broadcasting (Funding) Bill 2003: Committee Stage.

 

On the other hand, if the definition diverges from that, we get into multiculturalism, something that I very much support. I have the proud boast of being the godfather of a Chinese lady who came to Ireland not so long ago. I have always kept in touch with Chinese culture and listened to that community's views. She said to me on several occasions that she was always worried that, when we talked about being multicultural, we might misunderstand what visitors to this island want. They do not want us to sideline or dilute our own culture. It is like building a house. If our own culture is not firm and strong, we cannot build a multicultural society on the island. I argued on the very same issues when we were first entering the European Community, saying that, if we were going in only with a cultural begging bowl rather than offering our rich heritage and culture, we would lose out.

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