Speech
Supporting Inclusion and Combatting Racism in Ireland: Dail Statement by Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan TD
By: Minister for Justice;
Published on
Last updated on
By: Minister for Justice;
Published on
Last updated on
Check against delivery
A Cheann Comhairle, Deputies.
Two weeks ago, I spoke of the horror I felt - that we all felt - at the tragic death of the late George Floyd. Since then, we have seen a global outpouring of solidarity for the Black Lives Matter movement and an increasing and very welcome focus on the vile problems of racism and discrimination.
While it may be that this moment was prompted by recent events in one State, the reality is that racism and racial discrimination are not unique to any one country or continent. Racism is insidious and is present to some degree in every society, including here in Ireland. Recognising this terrible reality is the first step in combatting it.
We need to face up to the fact that racism does occur in Ireland. We need to understand better how prevalent it is and what its impacts are. And we need to generate effective strategies for tackling it.
Both I and Minister Stanton will speak to you this morning about some of the extensive efforts being made to tackle racism in Ireland. I will speak to some actions in the criminal justice sector.
It is a sad fact that a small minority of persons in Ireland subject others to abuse or attack, due to their own prejudice or intolerance. I wholly and unreservedly condemn such actions, for which there is no excuse.
The Mission of my department is delivery of a safe, fair and inclusive Ireland and in our policies and initiatives, we strive to deliver on that mission statement. For some time now, we have been working as a priority to develop new legislation on hate speech and hate crime.
As Deputies know, there is some existing law in this area:
But it has been clear for some time that this has not been sufficient to deter or sufficiently respond to crime in which the victim is targeted because of a perpetrator’s hate.
In recognising that this legislation is both complex and sensitive, my department has carried out comparative research on the effectiveness of different approaches to hate crime legislation. It is not enough to have legislation on the statue books – it is essential that the legislation is effective.
It was also very important to me that new legislation would be informed by the lived experience of those who suffer from abuse or attacks motivated by hate. For this reason that my department has carried out a broad public consultation, including a public survey, and provided an opportunity for formal submissions. We have also had a series of independently facilitated workshops across the State. This comprehensive approach was taken because I want the resulting legislation to be robust, clearly understood and effective. My officials are now analysing all these inputs, to prepare evidence-based legislative proposals as quickly as possible.
If we are to ensure a fully inclusive Ireland, it is important that the criminal justice system represents and reflects all of Irish society. And An Garda Síochána is pivotal in this context and has been striving to become a leader in this field.
Garda recruitment campaigns have, in recent years, made significant efforts to attract candidates from minority communities, including though publication of videos and materials in multiple languages. The Commissioner also approved changes to the Garda uniform to allow the wearing of the hijab or turban to ensure the uniform didn’t act as a barrier to entry.
These developments are bearing fruit – for example in 2019 and 2020, almost 67 persons born outside the state, with 19 different nationalities, have attested and became Garda members. For example, in addition to Garda members who are British or EU citizens, we now also have Garda members who are nationals of Brazil, China, India, Iraq, Nigeria, Russia and South Africa, among others.
A Garda Diversity and Integration Strategy has also been adopted. This is important for both organisational and operational reasons.
The Strategy reflects a commitment to further diversity in the Garda workforce. It contains a working definition of hate crime, to ensure Gardaí are alert to and appropriately record hate incidents. And it commits to proactive, respectful engagement with all members of society, including minority groups.
These undertakings are underpinned by the Garda Human Rights Strategy, the Code of Ethics and the wider reform process underway following the report of the Commission on the Future of Policing.
In the very brief time available, I hope to have conveyed a sense of the priority attached to fighting racism in the criminal justice sector.
Effective criminal legislation will be key in deterring and addressing hate-motivated crime; and a renewed Garda Síochána benefiting from ever-increasing diversity, engaged in all communities, will be a powerful force for integration and respect.
But these measures alone cannot bring about the change that we all wish to see in our society.
Addressing prejudice and discrimination is a mission for all of us.
I am confident that I am not alone in being profoundly moved by the poem recently composed by Imelda May, ‘You don’t get to be racist and Irish’. She reminds us of the piercing truth that our history - as a people who has experienced the torment of discrimination, exclusion and intolerance – means that we cannot be blind to the same terrible wrong being done to others. Our pride in our heritage and history must extend to taking pride in our fairness, our tolerance and our inclusivity.
I hand over now to Minister Stanton.
ENDS