Minister Joe O’Brien Announces Publication of Ireland’s National Action Plan Against Racism 2023-2027
- the National Action Plan Against Racism was developed by an independent Anti-Racism Committee
- year-one Implementation Plan agreed across government
- €1 million in funding made available for anti-racism initiatives
The Minister of State for Community Development, Integration and Charities, Joe O’Brien, has announced the publication of the National Action Plan Against Racism (NAPAR) 2023-2027. The government has developed an implementation plan for the NAPAR’s first year.
Speaking at the launch of the plan, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said:
“We all have a responsibility to confront racism. The government too has a lead role to play in creating a fair, equal and inclusive society. This Plan is about ensuring that everyone, regardless of colour, background or ethnicity, is respected as an individual and judged by the content of their character, not the colour of their skin or their appearance. Anyone from a minority ethnic or bi-racial background can experience racism. In some cases it is not malicious but can still make you feel different or diminished, but in other cases it’s very deliberate and intended to cause hurt or offence. The National Action Plan against Racism is about cross-government actions to make racism less acceptable and to promote inclusion.”
Tánaiste Micheál Martin said:
“I am delighted to help launch the National Action Plan Against Racism today, the end product of many months of tireless work on the part of the independent Anti-Racism Committee. The actions in this plan are ambitious, but a society that is determined to be inclusive should be ambitious in tackling racism. I hope that with the implementation of this plan, Ireland will be seen as a welcoming place, where people can live free of discrimination, with equal opportunities for all.”
Minister Joe O’Brien said:
"The actions in the plan aim to create a more inclusive Ireland, where everyone feels safe to live their own lives. Implementation of the plan will be led by government departments, local authorities and agencies, and work is already underway, with a number of actions already being implemented. The plan proposes tangible ways in which we can all make a difference in our society, and I will be encouraging my colleagues to embrace it.”
The plan proposes actions to help make Ireland a place in which the impacts of racism are fully acknowledged and actively addressed. It was developed by an independent Anti-Racism Committee established by Charles Flanagan, then Minister for Justice and Equality and Minister of State David Stanton in 2020.
Minister O’Brien is also announcing the creation of the Ireland Against Racism Fund, which will include up to €1 million in funding for both local and regional/national projects which have a specific focus on anti-racism.
In line with a recommendation in the NAPAR, an independent Special Rapporteur on Racial Equality and Racism will also be appointed to monitor implementation of the plan.
