24th April 2019

In 2016 President Michael D.Higgins spoke of the importance of embracing mulitculturalism when he said "Difference is a resource. Difference is richness. That is the Ireland that is unfolding before us and I welcome it.". With those words, the President laid down a marker to view diversity as a benefit, rather than a drain, enriching all of society. The rise in populism and anti-immigrant sentiment is a danger to society and democracy. It polarises communities and incites hatred, and in some cases, violence. Ireland needs to take a whole of society and policy approach to embrace multiculturalism for the benefit of all.