Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 235: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the report published by the ESRI entitled Migrant's Experience of Racism and Discrimination and its findings that insults or other forms of harassment at work are the second most common form of discrimination against immigrants with 32% of work permit holders across all groups having reported it; and his plans to address this problem. [39023/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The Employment Equality Act 1998 as amended by the Equality Act 2004 places an obligation on all employers in Ireland to prevent harassment in the workplace. The administration of this legislation is a matter for my Department and, more particularly, the Equality Authority. Persons who consider themselves to be the victims of harassment may bring a claim to the Equality Tribunal.

Compliance with employment rights legislation is a matter for the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. I am, nevertheless, aware of the ESRI Report on Migrants' Experience of Racism and Discrimination in Ireland. The Report describes the subjective experiences of racism, discrimination and exploitation in respect of a random sample of employment permit holders and asylum seekers. I have already stated, in response to the publication of the ESRI Report, that my Department is developing integration strategies through the National Action Plan Against Racism and the existing equality framework with a view to combating racism and creating an intercultural society through interaction, equality of opportunity, tolerance and respect.