Konrad Niewulski from Donegal represents us on the Ministerial Council on Integration for Connacht-Ulster region

An Inaugural Meeting of the Ministerial Council on Integration for Connacht-Ulster region took place in Áras an Chontae, Galway City on the 7 October, 2010
Konrad Niewulski from Donegal is a Polish representative on the council.

Ms. Mary White, T.D., Minister of State for Equality, Integration and Human Rights said:
“Only several weeks we read of the work of a Polish academic, who documented the experiences of Polish people who migrated to Ireland. It found that Ireland received over 300,000 Polish nationals, who helped this country meet its labour demands. As a result Irish workers had to upgrade their skills, resulting in a more skilled, flexible labour force than before. I was pleased to read that the research found Polish migrants had positive experiences in Ireland in terms of its workplace being more informal, employers fairer and managers less authoritarian than in Poland. Such positive experiences were not universal and some might have experienced unequal pay, but this research does demonstrate the two-way benefits of integration.
I think it is worth stressing the fact that people came to take up employment at a time when employment opportunities were available. Since the recession hit the flow of people into the country has dropped by an enormous extent. This bears out the statements made by Government that people were coming here to work – not to try to secure welfare benefits and so on, as some alleged.”

Full Speach:

I want, first of all, to extend a warm welcome to you all this evening. On behalf of the Government I want to say that your decision to take up your appointment to this Council is very much appreciated.

The reasoning for a Council of this kind is set out in the policy statement “Migration Nation” published on in May, 2008, on the occasion of the expansion of the European Union in May, 2004.

On my appointment to the post of Minister for Integration in March this year I decided that one formation of the Council which would represent the entire country would not have been sufficient to enable the views, experiences and concerns of as wide a variety of people as I considered necessary to be aired.

I therefore made the decision to have four different groupings, acknowledging that people have moved to and settled in every part of the country and that the experiences of those settled in the different regions would not necessarily be the same.

It is the case that dealings with national bodies might be similar, with the same outcomes and results, yet it is a fact that integration is something which takes place at community level and it is not something that can be wished into being by policies produced at a national level.

Work has, of course, to be done at national level.

In that context:

– Intercultural strategies have been produced covering the Health, Education and, most recently, the Arts.

Central Government funding has also been provided to a number of local authorities and national organisations to promote integration and to develop anti racism plans. I was in Galway during the summer and met with the Galway inter-cultural forum. The meeting was one of many I had with fora and organisations who work with local authorities to create cities and counties of equals, to re-work a phrase of Galway City Council.

One of the issues which is of concern is the danger of racism in this country. Racism has no place in our society and that is a message which we must repeat again and again. Thankfully we have not seen an upsurge in racist incidents reported to An Garda Siochana in recent years even though there has been an extraordinary – by any standards – increase in inward migration. I believe that this is because of the common sense and basic decency of both the Irish people and of those who have moved here. But there can be no grounds for complacency in this regard. The small number of people who hold racist opinions must be challenged at every opportunity.

We have seen in other European countries a worrying rise in anti-immigrant rhetoric, accompanied by a rise in so called Islamophobia. It is to be regretted that some far right political groupings have succeeded in making electoral gains in some countries by exploiting this rise.

We in Ireland know too well what devastation sectarian bigotry and lack of respect for others can bring. We in Ireland must continue to promote tolerance and mutual respect, we must continue dialogue, seek to understand one another, seek to dispel myths and misunderstandings. This Council is one part of that process.

The vast majority of people accept and acknowledge the contribution being made to Irish society by migrants in the spheres of work, religion, education, health, and sport in fact in all aspects of life. We see it every day in the community centres I visit, the workplaces I come across, the cultural institutions of our country. There is a rich tapestry of diversity and cultural flair at the heart of Irish society, and it is something which we should acknowledge and enjoy.

Only several weeks we read of the work of a Polish academic, who documented the experiences of Polish people who migrated to Ireland. It found that Ireland received over 300,000 Polish nationals, who helped this country meet its labour demands. As a result Irish workers had to upgrade their skills, resulting in a more skilled, flexible labour force than before. I was pleased to read that the research found Polish migrants had positive experiences in Ireland in terms of its workplace being more informal, employers fairer and managers less authoritarian than in Poland. Such positive experiences were not universal and some might have experienced unequal pay, but this research does demonstrate the two-way benefits of integration.
I think it is worth stressing the fact that people came to take up employment at a time when employment opportunities were available. Since the recession hit the flow of people into the country has dropped by an enormous extent. This bears out the statements made by Government that people were coming here to work – not to try to secure welfare benefits and so on, as some alleged.

It is true that a significant number of people who came here to work have left the country as they lost their jobs, particularly in the construction sector. It is equally true that a far greater number remain, still in employment, still paying taxes, still contributing to Irish life. People, like you, who have put down roots in Ireland, are demonstrating a commitment to Ireland. Your contribution has been vital. Irish and non-Irish alike have been affected by the recession and both have a contribution to make in helping end the recession.

I want to make a particular reference to young people, the children of migrants. There are about 50,000 under 5 years of age and about 110,000 between the ages of 5 and 19. This group are part of the future of the country. The investment we make in their future will, I am certain, be repaid many times over. Recently I launched the Inter-cultural education strategy, which is a five year strategy aimed at ensuring our migrant children are given comprehensive language support, that there is partnership between teachers, principals and parents in the ambition for inter-culturalism and that diversity is celebrated in our schools. We value your children’s education.

Last Saturday, I attended the annual conference of the English Language Support Teachers’ Association and I can tell you that the teachers of this country are dedicated to the future of the migrant children in this country.

In the meantime we must make every effort to support the integration of this group into society, so that we can reduce any sense of alienation or isolation. This is a responsibility of everyone – the migrant community and the native Irish.
Beyond education, across society, those with responsibilities in the workplace, those responsible for the organisation of cultural and sporting events and so on must take on board the need to promote integration. Ireland has experienced tremendous change over the last decade. Ireland is now a more diverse society than at any time in our history. We have an opportunity to ensure the continued well-being of that society by promoting respect and tolerance for one another.
So, to conclude I welcome you all here this evening. I look forward to hearing your views, to acting on these views where possible, and to establish a good working relationship with the Connacht/Ulster forum of the Ministerial Council on Integration.

On the council :