Green Party TD for Carlow/Kilkenny, Mary White, has said she is initiating a ministerial council on integration to advise her on issues facing Ireland’s migrant population.
Commenting on the proposal, the Minister for Equality, Integration and Human Rights said, “I very much look forward to establishing a ministerial council on integration at the earliest possible opportunity, and I intend ensuring that the composition of this council will be drawn from the migrant community. Such a council will achieve a good balance between countries of origin, places of residence in Ireland, and the need for appropriate gender balance.”
Minister White added, “my departmental officials and I have begun preparatory work on creating this council, and I expect advertisements calling for expressions of interest will be placed in the national and regional newspapers shortly.
“An important aspect of this council will be its regional character. I want to create a forum that meets at regional level so that the issues affecting migrants in different parts of the country can be distinctly heard. I believe this council will further enhance the process of integration in Ireland and will be driven by members who have so much to contribute.”
