It is not every day that the voice of a Government minister is heard denouncing racism - and so at this early stage in Ireland's progress towards becoming a more multi-racial and multi-cultural society (for that is what is happening), when such a voice is heard, it merits comment.
The profile of Mr John O'Donoghue, Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, on the subject of refugees and asylum-seekers has not been etched on to the public consciousness through measured words and sensitive speeches. It is novel to hear him talk, as he did on Tuesday, of the need for sensitivity, respect for human rights, in favour of tolerance and diversity and resolute action against all forms of racism and hatred. That he did speak in such terms is to be welcomed. It must be hoped that his wide-ranging speech - to a preparatory conference in Dublin organised by the National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism - heralds a determined effort by all members of the Government to campaign against an ugly and deeply worrying trend in this society.
Mr O'Donoghue outlined a series of measures the Government is going to take. They include ratifying the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. This is possible on foot of new laws - the Employment Equality Act 1998 and the Equal Status Act 2000 - so that the convention can be ratified before the year is out. The Minister said Officials were examining how the Incitement to Hatred Act, used but twice in 10 years, could be strengthened. And he made reference to the setting up of a Garda Inter-Cultural Office to co-ordinate, monitor and advise the Garda Siochana on policing a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural society. Most important in this regard, Mr O'Donoghue said a working party was examining all aspects of Garda training and promised to have an action plan in place by December.
But while legislative measures against racism and training State officials to be more vigilant in stamping out unacceptable behaviour is all to the good, more - much more - needs to be done to get the message across to the community at large. The Minister's announcement of a propaganda campaign against racism is therefore to be welcomed. The main objective of such a campaign will be to promote debate and opinion that is informed and balanced. Everyone has a role to play in ensuring that hatred of ethnic or race minorities (a hatred which, it should not be overlooked, can and has led to violent, life-threatening assaults upon black people) is not allowed to grow unchecked.
The Minister is right to point an accusing finger at some media. There has been regrettable recourse to loaded language: references to refugees and asylum-seekers alongside words like "flood", "surge" and "AIDS". This sort of approach should be challenged - and rejected. The ultimate aim in any public awareness campaign must be to create a climate in which casual racism is not tolerated. Members of the public must be encouraged to have the confidence to challenge purveyors of racism whenever they are encountered.