Tackling prejudice - Inaction on racism stores up trouble

WALK down any street in Ireland today and you will hear the accents of Europe, Africa and the Middle East, voices which are now adding to the rich complexity of our increasingly multi-cultural society.

But, as illustrated yesterday, when the nation marked International Day Against Racism, there is a compelling need for the state to take a far more active role in promoting social harmony, countering racism and preparing immigrants not alone to work in this country but also to live here.

Our newfound sense of cultural diversity follows an influx of tens of thousands of people lured by a burgeoning economy to live and work here.