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| The Blame Game and Minorities in Ireland |
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| Thursday, 20 November 2008 | |||||
 When banks fail, houses are repossessed and jobs are lost. The spectre
of financial turmoil and economic uncertainty is the most advertised
effect on the vulnerable in our societies. Extensive research has shown
that none are more prone to abuse at such times of uncertainty than
minorities. So how does the Irish government respond to this pending
disaster? It pulls the rug from under the feet of those it has pledged to support
by withdrawing funding from organisations set up to specifically
counter the growing tide of racism and discrimination that
unfortunately defines modern Ireland. In other words, it leaves its
minorities to fend for themselves.
In a hastily drawn up budget brought forward to veil years of
mismanagement, misuse and profiteering, Fianna Fail (the current
government) cut funding to a number of NGOs - most notably the NCCRI
and other such organisations whose sole goal was to foster better
relations among the diverse populations that make up New Ireland. In
addition to these cuts, language support classes for immigrants were
also slashed and ESL support within schools was reduced considerably.
The acquisition of the national language is seen as essential to
integration, so what message is the government sending its minorities
when it removes the means to such integration?
Coupled with these cutbacks, there is increased rhetoric on the evils of immigration, talk of how foreigners are taking jobs from Irish people, claims of crime syndicates being run by ‘outsiders’ and more recently the jeopardizing of Irish culture and identity posed by Muslims. And the very organisations put in place to keep the lid on this racist behemoth have been effectively silenced. A recent ESRI survey revealed that immigrants are more likely to face unemployment, discrimination and low pay than their Irish counterparts. This was the situation while NGOs like the NCCRI were still operational, so what will transpire in the coming months is anyone’s guess. The measure of any government is how it cares for its minorities, not only during the good times, but perhaps more importantly during the bad. Ireland can and should do better. Change the situation for the better. Join MPACIE, or fund the revival of the Ummah. Email us on info@mpacuk.org
MPACIE: By Change We Become Free           Readers have left 6 comments.
Muslim in Ireland:
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Writing in the Irish Times, Phillip Watt of the now defunct NCCRI said: "The anti-racism and integration drive needs continuing effective Government investment and support. The likely demise of the National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism (NCCRI) resulting from the Budget also coincides with the end of the National Action Plan against Racism, which will be completed in 2008.
There is now a significant vacuum in Government policy arising from the fact that there is no longer an expert body to advise on anti-racism and integration and no longer a dedicated plan and funding line focused on dealing with these issues. The Government says the NCCRI's "functions" will be transferred to the Office for Integration. However, without staff or expertise being transferred, this commitment appears hollow." The situation looks very bleak. When the budget cuts were announced, racist hate sites in Ireland lit up with jubilation at the demise of organizations that were a thorn in their side. Minorities have been abandoned to their fate by a corrupt, callous government. May Allah help us.
(1)
2008-11-21 16:22:12
Muslim in Ireland:
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Writing in the Irish Times, Phillip Watt of the now defunct NCCRI said: "The anti-racism and integration drive needs continuing effective Government investment and support. The likely demise of the National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism (NCCRI) resulting from the Budget also coincides with the end of the National Action Plan against Racism, which will be completed in 2008.
There is now a significant vacuum in Government policy arising from the fact that there is no longer an expert body to advise on anti-racism and integration and no longer a dedicated plan and funding line focused on dealing with these issues. The Government says the NCCRI's "functions" will be transferred to the Office for Integration. However, without staff or expertise being transferred, this commitment appears hollow." The situation looks very bleak. When the budget cuts were announced, racist hate sites in Ireland lit up with jubilation at the demise of organizations that were a thorn in their side. Minorities have been abandoned to their fate by a corrupt, callous government. May Allah help us.
(2)
2008-11-21 16:22:12
John2:
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Why does the queen appear in the picture above the article. Its hardly her fault.
John
(3)
2008-11-21 20:08:09
John2:
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Why does the queen appear in the picture above the article. Its hardly her fault.
John
(4)
2008-11-21 20:08:09
Ordinary Dub:
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While I agree that the issues you have pointed out in this article and others are real and must be addressed, your use of the phrases "the growing tide of racism and discrimination that unfortunately defines modern Ireland" and "New Ireland" is offensive and culturally clueless. And to use an English ten pound note as an illustration in an article about the Irish government withdrawing funding within Ireland is simply crass in the extreme.
(5)
2008-12-01 00:44:53
Ordinary Dub:
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While I agree that the issues you have pointed out in this article and others are real and must be addressed, your use of the phrases "the growing tide of racism and discrimination that unfortunately defines modern Ireland" and "New Ireland" is offensive and culturally clueless. And to use an English ten pound note as an illustration in an article about the Irish government withdrawing funding within Ireland is simply crass in the extreme.
(6)
2008-12-01 00:44:53
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