Survey: Govt must do more to combat racism

More than 60% of people think the Government has not done enough to combat racism.

A new survey by Amnesty International shows that negative myths about asylum seekers are common, but the Government has failed to speak out against them.

Ursula Fraser, of Amnesty, says politicians need to show real leadership on the issue.

"Some of the myths are that asylum seekers are entitled to free mobile phones and money for cars, that asylum seekers are here illegally and that they are entitled to third level education. All of this is untrue.

"Political leaders have a duty to dispel all these myths."

At a conference in Cork on racism in the media yesterday, delegates heard that asylum seekers receive an average of €19 per week in social welfare benefits.