Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 1:

“To delete all words after “That Seanad Éireann:” and substitute the following:

“notes–

-that tackling racism and promoting diversity is not just the responsibility of Government: everybody in Irish society, including individuals, organisations, businesses, governmental and non-governmental organisations have a responsibility to address racism and its impact on the people who experience it;
-that the Programme for Government (2011-2016) states “We will promote policies which integrate minority ethnic groups in Ireland, and which promote social inclusion, equality, diversity and the participation of immigrants in the economic, social, political and cultural life of their communities”; and
-that a number of proposals have been put forward directed to strengthening existing legislation and other arrangements in this area, including proposals for specific offences and/or treating racist crime as an aggravating circumstance in the context of the criminal law as well as proposals in the area of racial profiling and regarding the reporting of racist incidents;

acknowledges–

-the work which has been done at Government level and in the wider public sector to combat racism, including through the National Action Plan Against Racism 2005 - 2008 and subsequent measures as well as the work of the Garda Racial, Intercultural and Diversity Office; and
-the important contribution of non-governmental organisations in working with businesses and the communities across Ireland to tackle racism;

welcomes–

-the ongoing work of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality on integration, multi-culturalism and combating racism;
-the review launched by the Minister for Justice and Equality on our approach to the integration of our migrant population with a view to the development of a new and updated overall integration strategy in keeping with the Government’s commitment to the successful integration of migrants; and
-the establishment of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission with enhanced resources and powers and, in particular, the role envisaged in the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Bill currently before the Oireachtas in relation to support for programmes of activities and projects for the promotion of the integration of migrants and other minorities and respect for diversity and cultural difference; and

calls on the Minister for Justice and Equality–

-to take forward work on the review of our approach to integration and to ensure that measures to strengthen existing arrangements for combating racism and xenophobia are examined as part of that review taking account of the outcome of the public consultation process and the results of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality’s own examination of this issue;
-to consider, in particular, the following issues for the purpose of strengthening our approach in this regard:

-measures directed to promoting intercultural awareness;
-strengthening the Prohibition of Incitement to Hatred Act 1989;
-ratifying the Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime and its Protocol on Racism and Xenophobia;
-how work begun under the National Action Plan to Combat Racism 2005-2008 can continue to be taken forward; and
-the reporting and recording of racist incidents in order to ensure the most complete picture possible of the situation; and

to return to Seanad Eireann to report on progress on these matters and on the review of integration policy currently underway.”.
I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, to the House. She is a regular contributor on these important issues. I thank our colleagues and friends in the Independent Taoiseach's nominees group, particularly Senators Mac Conghail and Zappone, for proposing this valuable Private Members' motion. The Government is proposing an amendment, but not because it disagrees in any way with the sentiments expressed by the Senators. Rather, technical issues must be addressed, as the motion would require that significant amendments be made to a great deal of legislation that the Government is reviewing. The Minister of State will outline in her response the actions the Government is taking to deal with this menace.
The racism, racist comments and racially motivated gestures and provocation to be found in society are unacceptable. Unfortunately, though, they are the reality. Members of ethnic minorities and the Traveller community can give wholesale testimonials of what happens. In a modern, civilised and so-called equal society, one would expect tolerance to be something that could be taken for granted. Unfortunately, it is not. Many people suffer racial slurs and abuse in silence and do not have the courage to go to the Garda to make complaints or seek help or justice. Many young people among minority groups also suffer in silence because of their fear of bullies, etc.
The House has discussed cyberbullying, homophobic bullying and so on at length. It is all interlinked. I am fully aware of the Government's deep commitment to dealing with this issue. I look forward to the Minister of State's response to the motion. It will be detailed and constructive.
To this day, people with disabilities suffer this type of inappropriate behaviour, commentary, etc. Many do not speak out. For one reason or another, they are afraid of bullies. The young people going through this in silence are the ones who really need support.
This motion is timely and important because we need to continue raising these issues at every opportunity if we are to increase public awareness of what is happening in certain of society's underbellies. People have a right to go about their business free from racial abuse and intimidation. Some people in Ireland have travelled across the world and enjoyed different cultures and environments. They may have been treated badly, but in many cases they were treated with utter respect. Of all countries, we should be a leader in terms of tolerance. We should set the standard, not follow it. As a nation, the majority of us are tolerant and giving and embrace multiculturalism, diversity and minorities. However, the small minority of people who are not need to be dealt with firmly.

We need to ensure that there is proper education of young people in order to ensure they are aware of the richness that minorities bring. We need to ensure that we start the process at primary school level, the place where we teach and foster a culture of tolerance, equality and respect.

Big organisations need to play their part. It is worth pointing out in this debate the work done in this area by the GAA, as an association. We all remember the matches last year where the big screen in Croke Park showed the word "respect" as a key word. Obviously the GAA can do an awful lot more. All of us have a responsibility in this area. All organisations within this country that influence public opinion have responsibilities, particularly in the area of sports.

I commend my colleagues for tabling the motion. If Seanad Éireann does nothing else but give a forum for debating, discussing and helping create resolution to this type of menaces in society then we will have done a very good period of work.