"Continuing need for a multi-cultural Ireland" - DCU President speaks at Saturday's graduation ceremony in St Pat's, Drumcondra
- 13 November 2009

Speaking at a graduation ceremony to be held in St Patrick's College, Drumcondra on Saturday, Professor Ferdinand von Prondzynski said that there is a continuing need for a multi-cultural Ireland.

"The national and ethnic make-up of Irish society is now totally different from what it once was. A significant minority living in Ireland are what we now call 'non-nationals' (though that is a term we urgently need to stop using). Even with the growth of unemployment, many recent immigrants are staying, and it is likely that in future the multi-cultural composition of the national population will be easily discernible in our phone directories.

"I believe we need to continue to embrace a multi-cultural Ireland. Current unemployment levels will decline again, and we will again need to have a growing population with diverse skills and experiences. A multi-cultural population is likely to be more attractive to overseas investors.

"However, we also need to ensure that a multi-cultural Ireland is at peace with itself, and that it respects both the diversity of society and also the inherited Irish cultural traditions. There is a continuing need to be vigilant about racism, but also a need to be ensure that there is a good degree of social integration between indigenous Irish and recent immigrants. A key role in ensuring this success lies in the Irish school system, particularly at primary level", he said.