Irish businesses are not taking the issue of racial equality and diversity seriously enough,according to Lucy Gaffney, chairwoman of the steering group for the National Action Plan against Racism.

She said firms could miss out on future growth opportunities unless something is done to combat the lethargy. Speaking yesterday after a Dublin breakfast meeting, Ms Gaffney said that workplace diversity isn't high enough up the agenda of many Irish companies.

Only 100 of the 700 invited businesses attended the breakfast yesterday, supporting Ms Gaffney's theory that the issue isn't being taken seriously.

"The corporate community has a critical role to play in ensuring that Ireland is well positioned to take advantage of the talent and the skills that new workers in Ireland are bringing to the economy," she said.

"By being prepared, open to change and planning for the short to medium-term, the increased levels of diversity in Ireland will bring significant benefits to Irish companies."

According to figures from the Central Statistics Office, non-nationals will account for 18 per cent of the Irish population by 2030, compared with about 6 per cent currently.

Acknowledging the changing makeup of Irish society, Minister for Justice Michael McDowell called on Irish businesses to take up the challenge and ensure they provide a positive working environment for people of all nationalities, cultures and sexes.

One company to have successfully adopted such an approach is US technology group Dell. About 15 per cent of its workforce in Ireland is made up of non-nationals.

"For us it's a business issue that helps propel business forward," said Pat Casey, vice president of training and diversity at Dell Ireland. He said without such a strategy, Dell wouldn't have been able to grow as it has.