A report that the Government is considering further measures to cut the flow of immigration into this State as figures show a renewed increase in the number of people seeking asylum here, sits uneasily with the peace agreement in Northern Ireland. Among the measures under consideration is a proposal to limit access to Irish citizenship, in particular the provision that anyone born here, including the children of asylum-seekers or illegal immigrants, is entitled to such citizenship.
Just at the moment, therefore, when the Irish people are to be asked to affirm by referendum the nationality and citizenship rights of those born in Northern Ireland by amending Articles 2 and 3 of the Constitution, the Government is signalling a more restrictive approach to those born in this State. This is a shame; for, as several speakers at the colloquium on multiculturalism and racism held in Dublin City University last evening pointed out, there is a clear relationship between the two major issues.
Under the peace process, Irish citizens are invited to accommodate their diverse identities in a new pluralist framework by coming to terms with their differences. In doing so, they will be preparing themselves for a much more international environment in the new millennium. But since that environment is essentially one in which the capacity to accommodate difference, including ethnic, national and racial difference, will be valuable resources, there is a real opportunity for Ireland to bring its experience into line with international realities by adopting a more open and welcoming attitude towards immigrants and asylum-seekers coming to these shores.
Unfortunately the experience of the last few years demonstrates that this is far easier said than done. Certainly there has been a sharp increase in the numbers seeking asylum here, in response to greater prosperity and welfare provisions as well as Ireland's international reputation in the human rights field; but the actual numbers involved are miniscule compared with those in most other EU member-states.
There is still time for the Government to rethink its restrictive approach and to learn more from experiences in the United States and Europe. But simply broadening our knowledge is no guarantee that a more open and accommodating policy will be adopted. Immigration and race relations are some of the most contentious issues in contemporary politics. They divide societies with much more experience than our own on such matters, including many communities of Irish people abroad, mainly in the English-speaking world.
The Government is planning to bring new Irish citizenship laws into line with those applying in the member-states of the European Union. But it will rapidly discover that the issue is bitterly contested in most of them; in coming years the outcome of these struggles will also affect the EU's overall stance in relation to immigration - whether it will be relatively open or closed.