Programme for Government contains key actions on tackling racism and promoting integration

The new Programme for Government contains key actions on tackling racism and promoting integration according to the Fine Gael Intercultural group, whose policy submission helped shape the document.

Fine Gael Intercultural (FGI) looks forward to playing a strong role in ensuring these commitments are brought to fruition in the next Government.

The Programme for Government commits to the publication of a new Action Plan against Racism, which was a key ask in Fine Gael Intercultural’s policy submission. So too was the introduction of Hate Crime Legislation, which is also included in the document for the proposed Government.

Adeola Ogunsina, Chair of Fine Gael Intercultural said: “Fine Gael Intercultural welcomed the opportunity to make a submission to the Fine Gael team negotiating the Programme for Government, and we also discussed that submission with the Taoiseach in recent weeks.  We felt it was so important that the next government has a strong focus on diversity, inclusion and anti-racism.

“We believe the Programme for Government does have that focus and contains a significant number of our key policy asks. As a group we look forward to playing a strong role in ensuring these commitments are brought to fruition in the next Government.

“In particular FGI supports the commitment to develop an Action Plan against Racism and to legislate against Hate Crimes.”

The new proposed Hate Crimes legislation will create specific offences, to ensure that those who target victims because of their association with a particular identity characteristic are identified as perpetrators of hate crime. The legislation will be on the basis of an aggravated offences model. The existing Incitement to Hatred Act will also be updated to ensure that those who seek to encourage and incite others to hate minority groups can be prosecuted.

Mr Ogunsina continued: “We also welcome the development of a strengthened Migrant Integration Strategy and new pathways for undocumented workers.  The provision for a paid internship programme in government departments targeted at migrant communities and those from disadvantaged backgrounds is a really important element of this.

“The commitment in the Programme for Government to increase the participation of qualified migrants in front line jobs will help to create a diverse civil service that represents the community. There are specific commitments around increasing the numbers of people from diverse and minority backgrounds in the Garda Síochána and in the teaching profession. We are ready to help with the implementation of this and the evaluation of progress over the next five years.

“We also welcome the commitment to ending the Direct Provision System which was an important priority for us as a group. It will be replaced with a new International Protection Accommodation Policy, centred on a not-for-profit approach. In the short term, the Programme for Government commits to acting on the interim recommendations from Catherine Day, Chair of the Expert Group established by the outgoing Government, to improve conditions for asylum seekers currently living in the system. This includes vulnerability assessments, the right to work, the ability to apply for driver licences and bank accounts, an independent inspection process, measures to reduce the length of time in processing decisions, mental health services, and the training of managers of Direct Provision Centres.

Mr Ogunsina concluded: “The Programme for Government commitments in the areas of racism, inclusion and integration point to a brighter future for this country, and FGI looks forward to playing a key role in their implementation.

“We will also continue working on initiatives within Fine Gael to support people from migrant backgrounds get involved in the Party at a branch and constituency level, and support them to run for election.”