Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 327: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will report on the initiatives against hate crime in his Department; if he will further report on the initiatives against hate crime undertaken by the Garda; and if his attention has been drawn to the anti-hate crime campaign undertaken by the PSNI. [7015/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I have been informed by the Garda authorities that, in combating crimes with a racial motive, the Garda Commissioner approved the appointment of 145 ethnic liaison officers nationwide. The Garda racial and intercultural office provides training to the ethnic liaison officers. I understand that this is done in conjunction with leaders of ethnic minority groups and provides a good base for the ethnic liaison officers to learn about the techniques and sensitivities to be observed when investigating racially motivated incidents.

Garda authorities have assured me that ongoing liaising in the various communities instills confidence in those communities that the Garda Síochána will protect their rights where a racially motivated incident occurs. This process greatly assists in tackling such cases and also increases the probability that such incidents will be reported in the first instance.

I can inform the Deputy that a review of the incitement to hatred legislation has been ongoing in my Department in order to ascertain whether problems with the Prohibition of Incitement to Hatred Act 1989 had contributed to the lack of prosecutions under the Act at the time the review was announced. It is hoped to finalise the review as soon as negotiations on a European framework decision on combating racism and xenophobia have been finalised and its text has been fully assessed for its implications in the context of the review.

As I previously outlined to the Deputy in the Dáil, the Government recently published the national action plan against racism 2005-08 with a core budget of €1 million. This funding will be used to further the goals of the plan and in particular to make strategic interventions in the implementation of the plan, pursue specific research or consultancy projects in particular sectors, undertake public awareness-information initiatives and grant schemes.

A strategic monitoring group is in the process of being established to oversee the implementation of the plan and will consider the needs for the type of campaigns referred to by the Deputy.

Finally, I can inform the Deputy that the campaign undertaken by the PSNI is an initiative funded by the European Union. I understand from the Garda authorities that the PSNI has invited the Garda Síochána to participate in developing this initiative whereby best policing practices can be developed in respect of an increasingly diverse society in both jurisdictions.