The Fine Gael spokesperson on Foreign Affairs has called again for a Race Relations Forum in Dublin. Mr Gay Mitchell TD said in the light of the attack on a Congolese asylum seeker in Fairview Park at the weekend, Dublin Corporation should set up such a body "in conjunction with Christian, Muslim and Jewish groups".
Dublin is a multi-racial city "albeit on a small scale", he said, adding it would become increasingly multi-racial as prosperity continued to grow. "Much of the public discussion to date has centred on illegal immigration, but many immigrants are legally here and are entitled to be treated as part of the community.
"There are horrifying reports of racist behaviour and intolerance . . . Some of this is due to the lack of preparation by state agencies and the voluntary sector in educating both the migrant and settled communities to co-exist".
He called on the City Manager to bring the idea to the attention of the Lord Mayor.