The decision by the Department of Justice to join with the EU in co-funding a seminar on racism and policing, is a welcome sign of evolution in official thinking in this State. Recognition that a problem could develop is the first step towards forestalling it. In that regard, the initiative taken by the Garda Siochana in organising the event in the context of "a developing multi-ethnic and multi-cultural Ireland", can only be a harbinger of better training for gardai in race relations.
The Garda initiative complements the recent action taken by the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Mr Joe Doyle, as he sought to bridge the gap between natives and immigrants, to promote cultural diversity and to ensure that asylum seekers and refugees are welcomed here. Respect for people of different social and ethnic backgrounds was the key, the Lord Mayor insisted. As a people who had gone overseas to seek food, shelter and a better life, we had a responsibility to consider the difficulties facing asylum seekers in Ireland. Information leaflets on social welfare, housing and other matters were produced in nine languages as part of the package by local authorities.
Such progressive thinking stands in stark contrast to the traditional, official attitude towards asylum seekers and illegal immigrants. The Department of Justice has strenuously resisted efforts by broadly-based lobby groups and by the Progressive Democrats to allow such people to work here after six months, if their applications for asylum have not been processed. Evidence of the obstruction of immigrants in their efforts to improve their English, secure education and prepare for a new life here, has also emerged. There is a growing level of verbal abuse and assaults within the community. At the end of all that, more than 85 per cent of asylum seekers have their applications rejected.
The findings of a study of asylum seekers published by UCD during the week found that 80 per cent of those surveyed had some form of third-level qualification. This would suggest that such people are in a position to contribute positively to Irish society. They should be encouraged to do so rather than be isolated and looked upon as a threat. Ninety per cent of those questioned quoted delays in processing asylum application and not being allowed to work as major causes of stress.
Next month, the State will accept its first batch of refugees from Kosovo on a "temporary protection basis". It intends to house them in hostel-type, Army barracks accommodation in Kerry and Cork. There are worrying overtones here of the less-than-generous treatment accorded to Hungarian refugees by officialdom in the late 1950s. As a result, they couldn't wait to escape to America and Britain.
Irish society is now very different. It is more confident, better educated and qualifies as one of the wealthiest countries in the world. Because of those changes, our duties and responsibilities to those less fortunate have also grown. The action by the Garda Siochana in preparing for a more complex and multi-racial future is to be commended.