If our society is a democracy, let immigrants be heard in the Seanad

In the last decade there has been a rapid change in the structure of Irish society. 

Modern Ireland is a diverse republic with a significant presence of migrants. According to the last census there are over 544,000 people living in the republic who come from different countries. This makes 12% of the total population. The biggest national minority is Polish, with over 122,000 living in Ireland. All together, we have people from over 199 countries.

As President Michael D Higgins remarked at the Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland during its Annual Neighbourhood Week: “Ireland has, in recent years, become an increasingly multi-cultural society with people from many different ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds choosing to come and make their home here.