Mary Moran (Labour)

I wish to support the efforts of the Irish Network Against Racism, members of which are in the House this morning to launch European Week Against Racism ahead of the International Day Against Racism on Tuesday, 21 March. The Europe-wide message for this year is that people should speak out against racism. The Irish Network Against Racism comprises a national network of organisations that work collectively to highlight and address racism and to foster a vision of a society in which everyone can participate equally and that is free from racism, xenophobia and related discrimination. In this country alone, racist violence and crime account for 75% of racist incidents reported to NGOs in 2011. These incidents can have a deeper effect on the individual and can have an impact on the entire community. I call on the Leader to make time available for a debate on racism and racist-fuelled crime in Ireland in advance of the International Day Against Racism.