merrion street

This afternoon in Geneva, Minister of State with responsibility for Equality, Immigration and Integration, David Stanton TD, delivered Ireland’s National Statement to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD).

As part of his address, the Minister was delighted to announce that Professor Caroline Fennell of University College Cork, and current Commissioner at the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, will chair the newly-established Anti-Racism Committee. This Committee forms part of the Government’s commitment to strengthening its approach to combating racism.

The Minister also outlined advances made in the previous 5 years in a number of areas, including:

- Development of the Migrant Integration Strategy

- Development and Implementation of the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy, including access to education, accommodation and employment

- The Irish Refugee Protection Programme

- Improvements to the system of Direct Provision

- Establishment of Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission

- Establishment of the Anti-Racism Committee

- The Garda Síochána Diversity and Inclusion Strategy

- Hate Crime legislation and Hate Speech consultation

Minister Stanton is leading Ireland’s delegation to the UN Anti-Racism Committee - CERD - for an examination of Ireland’s 5^th to 9^th State Reports to the Committee, which is taking place on the 2^nd and 3^rd of December, 2019.

Notes to Editors

The Minister’s full opening address can be read here - National Statement.