Ireland has been painfully slow to adapt to the growth of a multicultural society within our midst, as many more people from diverse ethnic backgrounds settle and seek asylum here. Confirmation that this is so comes from an important piece of socio-scientific research published yesterday on racism in Ireland as seen from the point of view of black and ethnic minorities.
Overwhelmingly, the 622 people interviewed in the sample say they have experienced racism and racist abuse, that not enough was being done to educate the public about the problem, and that the Government in particular was not doing enough to combat racism.
Disturbingly, there is substantial perception and experience of unfair behaviour against such minorities by the Garda Siochana. A majority of those inter- viewed do not feel confident about reporting a racist incident to the Gardai; only 14 per cent of the sample agreed that the force treated racial incidents seriously and even fewer said a member of their community would be welcomed in the force. The one reassuring finding was that only a minority had experienced racism from immigration officers.
The researchers underline that the answers to the question "How often, if at all, have you heard or seen people making insulting comments about your skin colour, or ethnic background, including the way you dress?" showed that "racism is becoming a frequent and endemic 'structural' feature within Irish society, rather than a mere aberration". Racism must be de- fined in terms of the experience and beliefs of those against whom it is directed. On that basis this survey establishes categorically that it is a serious and grow- ing problem in the streets, shops and cinemas of our towns and cities. This was the nub of the criticism of the Minister for Justice, Mr O'Donoghue, made by Mr Michael Farrell of the Irish Human Rights Commission in his speech to the world conference on racism in Durban this week. These findings bear him out and give the Minister, whose own comments to the conference smacked of complacency, something to think about.
It must follow from this survey that much more can, and should, be done to tackle racism in Irish society. The Government bears a huge responsibility for strong and persistent leadership, a higher profile campaign against racist abuse, more positive and welcoming attitudes to newcomers and ethnic minorities and determined initiatives to educate children and adults alike on the benefits and strengths of a multicultural society. Unfortunately, existing Government programmes do not measure up to these tasks.
Existing channels for reporting racist abuse prosecuting those responsible are quite inadequate. These findings demonstrate the Gardai face a very big task in coming to terms with these social realities. The recommendation in this report that a comprehensive programme of anti-racist and intercultural training should be introduced in the force is well founded. So is the proposal that they should actively recruit members from black and ethnic minorities.