The minister for integration in the Netherlands said yesterday a delegation of Irish officials visited the country last week to study its integration policies.
Rita Verdonk, a hardliner whose plans to integrate minorities have made her the subject of death threats, claimed the officials were "impressed" with Dutch policies on integration.
The Irish Embassy in The Hague said it was unaware of any visit by Irish officials, but added that it wouldn't necessarily know unless Ministers were involved.
A Department of Justice spokeswoman confirmed last night that a delegation had travelled as part of a consultation process for the preparation of the forthcoming Immigration and Residency Bill.
Ms Verdonk told foreign correspondents she met the Irish officials last week. As well as briefing them on her plans for integration, she also discussed restrictions on workers from eastern European EU member states on entering the Dutch workforce. Under pressure from trade unions worried about job losses among Dutch workers, the Netherlands has imposed a strict quota system.
"The delegation from the Irish Government was most interested in what we are doing."
She said Ireland needed to introduce an integration plan to avoid problems of assimilation which have beset the Netherlands and other European countries. "I am aware that Ireland has one of the fastest growing immigration populations anywhere.
"I told the Irish officials who visited us last week to see for themselves how we are planning our integration laws and see the practicalities. It won't work itself out in the wash. I explained how a lack of clear policies and plans alienated many of those who flooded into the Netherlands, creating much social unrest and I stressed that Ireland must have a clear vision about how the newcomers settle into Irish society.
"The job of the (Irish) State is to ensure that the mistakes made elsewhere are not repeated there, but the immigrants must be aware that they also have clear responsibilities on their role and what they make of their lives in their adopted country.
"Unfortunately in Holland we stuck our heads in the sand. The result has been ghettos, criminality and immigrants who refused to integrate and become part of Dutch society."
From March 15th all who intend to apply for authorisation for a temporary stay, or those who intend to live permanently in the Netherlands, will be required to have a reasonable knowledge of the Dutch language and be familiar with customs and how Dutch society works.
"The aim is that they will not be a drain on society or become isolated but rather be an asset, be responsible and feel themselves at home in their new country. For too long we tolerated the criminal behaviour of young Moroccans and Antillans who continue to make our streets unsafe but have been allowed to run riot because of political correctness."
If they fail it three times then their hopes of joining partners, families or entering the Netherlands on a permanent visa are dashed. Members of fellow EU states and those who come to Holland to study or on work permits of under five years are exempt.