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.