Aideen Hayden (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome our visitors to the Gallery and I also welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, to the House. I echo the sentiments of my colleague, Senator Bacik, in congratulating him on the work he has done as Minister of State with responsibility for new communities, culture and equality. I take the opportunity to second the Labour Party Private Members' motion.

I commend the Minister of State's efforts to eliminate inequality and his commitment to tackling racism in this country. It is an area that has been sadly neglected and he has brought new life and vigour to it. In reality, more and more people choose to spend their life in Ireland. The latest census figures show that one in nine people living in this country was born abroad. Ireland is becoming a more diverse and multicultural society. Therefore, it is essential to have someone in government responsible for representing and integrating new communities. Integration means access to and participation in all aspects of Irish life - economic, social, cultural and political.

Like Senator Bacik, I wish to congratulate the Minister of State in particular on the PolskaÉire 2015 festival, which was an enormous success. A testament to that is that one of our colleagues, Senator John Gilroy, suffered what was, thankfully, a non-fatal injury defending the Oireachtas football team to a draw against our Polish counterparts.