Speech by Minister of State Mary White, T.D., at the Launch of the New Communities Partnership and the Africa Centre's Report on the 2009 Voter Registration & Education Campaign - 'Our Vote Can Make A Difference'
15/06/2010
11:30am in the Dublin City Council Atrium, Civic Offices, Wood Quay, Dublin 8.
Good Morning Ladies and Gentlemen. Let me firstly thank the previous speakers and say how delighted I was to be asked to launch this report on the Voter Registration & Education Campaign - Our Vote Can Make A Difference.
One of the most important indicators of immigrant integration in any society is political and civic activity. Taking an interest in local issues demonstrates a long-term interest and commitment to one's community and the people who live in it. And while some may demonstrate this interest by standing for election; becoming involved in a civil society group or becoming involved in campaigns; for most people, political participation involves the simple act of voting in elections.
In a 2008 report which assessed policies to integrate migrants in 25 EU Member States, the Migrant Integration Policy Index found that Ireland has electoral rights and political liberties for migrants which meet best practice in Europe. In Ireland, any legally resident person can vote and stand for local elections. This means that, as well as Irish nationals and EU nationals, Non-EU nationals are eligible to vote in local elections.
On this basis, eligible migrants need to know how to register to vote, how the political system operates and how to vote in elections. Information on voting needs to be clear, impartial, in a language that migrants understand and needs take account of the fact that, for some migrants, this may be the first time that some have had the opportunity to vote in free elections.
I therefore commend this very worthwhile campaign which I am happy to say that my own Office part- funded through local authority funding. It has been very successful in its aims of mobilising people from migrant backgrounds to register to vote in last year's local and European elections.
I understand from reading the report that the campaign helped to ensure that 15,861 immigrants registered to vote in the June 2009 local elections, a 44% increase compared to the number registered prior to the campaign taking place. For all those who took the time to register to vote, I congratulate you, especially the 94% of those who registered that went on to cast their vote on election day.
For those eligible immigrants who have not yet registered, I encourage you to make sure your name is on the register of electors for future elections. I think the report reminds us that each individual vote does make a difference and how important is it for us to exercise this right.
I was very happy to read that 125 people volunteered to conduct 'Voter Education' training sessions around the country. These volunteers used their networks to reach out to migrants and provided them with the necessary information and reassurance when dealing with the authorities. It is the selfless dedication and commitment of volunteers such as these, that truly makes things happen.
The report makes a number of interesting recommendations. One issue raised was the fact that some migrants felt intimidated entering a Garda Station to register. I know An Garda Síochána have been working to create positive relations with migrants communities through open days and through the designation of over 400 Officers as 'Ethnic Liaison Officers'.
Another issue highlighted in the report was instances of confusion over acceptable forms of identification at both registration and voting stages. I agree with the reports recommendation that greater training should be provided and a list of acceptable forms of identification should be distributed to all relevant personnel dealing with registering people to vote and also for those working at the polling stations. This information must be widely circulated to avoid situations of uncertainty about an individual's eligibility to vote.
The report also makes recommendations about supporting candidates from migrant communities in local elections. I think that it is vital that we encourage migrants to participate to the greatest extent possible in the political system. In last year's local election, we saw a number of candidates stand for town and county councils. People from migrant backgrounds bring a new perspective, experience and vision to local and national politics. I am heartened to see so many becoming involved given that migration is such a comparatively new experience in Ireland. I would like to congratulate the successful candidates who were elected to town and County Councils and I hope this is a sign of the times to come.
Migrant participation in politics provides an opportunity to create positive role models for young migrants and also to raise issues which affect migrants directly at a local and national level.
One of the European Common Basic principles of Integration, which were developed by the Council of the European Union and the Governments of Member States states, 'The participation of immigrants in the democratic process and in the formulation of integration policies and measures, especially at the local level, supports their integration.' I strongly agree with this principle and would encourage all local community groups and political parties to actively encourage migrants to become involved in their activities.
Of course, civil society also has a very important role in terms of lobbying and creating awareness at a local, national and European level. It is on this basis that I was very happy to recommend Issah Husseini, who I know will be speaking after me this morning, to act as one of two Irish representatives on the European Integration Forum. The objective of the Forum is to provide a voice for representatives of civil society on integration issues. I have great faith that Issah will do a wonderful job and I wish him the best of luck in this role.
Nationally, there are many opportunities for migrants to become involved in civic activity. As many of you know, I have commenced the process of establishing a Ministerial Council on Integration. The membership of the Council will be drawn from the migrant community and will give advice directly to me on issues affecting migrants. Persons from a migrant community who are legally resident in Ireland for two or more years, or who have acquired Irish citizenship may apply.
I look forward to working closely with members of Ireland's immigrant communities and I would encourage migrants to apply for appointment to the Council. It is an opportunity for individuals to have a voice in relation to their integration experiences and to help shape a better and more cohesive Ireland.
To conclude, let me once again congratulate New Communities Partnership and the Africa Centre on the success of the Our Vote Can Make A Difference campaign.
You should feel proud that you have succeeded in raising awareness among immigrants about the Irish political system. I wish both organisations well in their future work as they continue to aid the integration process for many immigrants living in Ireland. Importantly, I would also like to congratulate the many volunteers who gave up their time to aid this campaign.
