Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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129. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if there will be efforts made in his Department to lead on reaching out to the Muslim community to prevent an increase in radicalism in this community. [27556/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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While the Deputy's question inevitably arises in the context of concern about acts of terrorist violence committed against innocent people, I know that he will agree with me that terrorism is not the product of any one faith or ideology. The only people responsible for the appalling attacks we have witnessed in the Britain and elsewhere in recent times are those extremists who carry them out. Those attacks can bring an unfair focus to bear on Muslim communities. It is absolutely essential that entire communities should not be stigmatised because of the actions of a few. The acts of violent extremists do not reflect the views of the majority of our Muslim community, which is a peace-loving community of citizens who enrich our national life and who are as appalled as anyone at the brutality of terrorism.

The Imams in all the main mosques and prayer houses in the State have spoken out publicly against the activities of ISIL and other similar groups and it is well known that our Muslim community is not supportive of such groups and their activities.

The risk of persons within the Muslim community becoming disaffected or marginalised has long been recognised by An Garda Síochána. Proactive steps were taken soon after the events of ‘9/11’ to seek to address this. These early preventive measures have formed the basis of a strong model of community engagement with our Muslim community here which is aimed at supporting and protecting that community and identifying and supporting the community to deal with vulnerable individuals within it.

This engagement is led through the Garda Racial, Intercultural and Diversity Office (GRIDO), which is in contact with many of our minority communities through the Garda network of Ethnic Liaison Officers. In respect of the Muslim community, there is direct and ongoing liaison with the main Mosques and Islamic cultural centres. The GRIDO also feeds into the European Commission-sponsored Radicalisation Awareness Network.

The State’s policies concerned with resettlement, migrant integration, equality, combating discrimination and building relationships with minority communities play an essential role in respect of minority communities, including Muslim migrants, through positive integration into society and my Department actively leads in this regard. A new Integration Strategy has been developed and was launched in February this year. The Strategy contains 76 actions targeted at Government, public and private sector organisations and local communities. We recognise that the local community is key to the integration process and have launched a Communities Integration Fund which will provide funding to build capacity within local communities to engage in integration activities.

Engagement with young people from all backgrounds is also crucial in combatting radicalisation and under the new Strategy, it is intended that the youth work sector will reach out to migrant young people, including Muslim youth, to seek to engage them in youth activities.