National reporting system needed to counter racism on our streets

Gerard Howlin’s contribution to the debate on racism (We Irish are not whiter than white. We have a long history of racism, Opinion, December 3) may have been uncomfortable reading, but it reflected a reality.

Our political leaders are rightfully quick to condemn hate crimes and racism internationally, but much slower to acknowledge that they occur on our own streets. This year, the Immigrant Council of Ireland has recorded 204 incidents of racism, an increase from 142 in 2013.

One in10 cases involved violence: people were kicked or punched or a campaign of hatred culminated in a brick or even a petrol bomb, being thrown through a window.

During one recent 12-month period, the PSNI recorded 700% more racist incidents than the Gardaí. Even allowing for different legal definitions, something is amiss. As part of her efforts to reform the force, we are asking the new garda commissioner to look again at how racism is recorded. What is needed is a statutory national reporting system, accessible 24/7, whereby victims can be confident they will be heard and their issues acted upon.

Accurate recording will provide the evidence needed to establish why our current laws are failing and whether new laws are needed.

Mr Howlin’s contribution is a reminder that doing nothing on this uncomfortable issue is no longer an option.

Denise Charlton,

Chief Executive,

Immigrant Council of Ireland

2 Andrew St,

Dublin 2