One in five may be non nationals by 2030

ONE in five people in the Republic could be from a non national background within a generation, according to Justice Minister Michael McDowell.

Speaking yesterday at the launch of a new logo for the National Action Plan Against Racism (NAPAR), the minister insisted immigration was a golden opportunity to redefine Irishness and he called on the "native Irish" to embrace change.

"People are still attracted to Ireland in great numbers and some estimates are that, by the year 2030, our foreign national population could be almost one million, or 18%," he said.

Mr McDowell admitted absorbing such numbers would not be an easy task, adding that Irish people needed to think differently about their country.

"It will be a challenge. It may not turn out to be the case the international economic pendulum may swing the other way.

"If it does happen, it will be a big emotional, intellectual and political challenge for native Irish people, if I can call them that.

"We need to change our concept of Irishness so that immigration is not just seen as inevitable, but as an opportunity," Mr McDowell added.

The Justice Minister insisted the rapid changes in population facing the Republic, coupled with the developing situation in the North, called for a new kind of "liberal republicanism" which embraced diversity and inclusion in a cohesive way.

"If we see it in the context of Northern Ireland, where we need to develop a concept of Irishness that includes the Anglo-Irish, the Ulster Scots and the Gaelic tradition.

"That same thing applies right across the border. As liberal republicans, we need a view of Irishness that welcomes change but is cohesive," he said.

The launch of a new brand logo for the NAPAR was intended to underline the organisation's development out of the Know Racism campaign of recent years.

NAPAR has focused on promoting the positive aspects of ethnic change in Ireland since it was set up in January.

Lucy Gaffney, chairperson of the NAPAR steering committee said €275,000 had been awarded to groups in 17 counties using sport and recreation to encourage greater cultural awareness.