Integrating Migrants in Ireland - Ministerial Council

Ministerial Council on Migrant Integration

Mary White, T.D., then Minister for Integration announced the establishment of a Ministerial Council on Migrant Integration to advise her on issues faced by migrants in Ireland on 22 September 2010. The Council will meet in regional formation and consist of 15 to 20 members in each region. Read More...

The provincial regions, dates of initial meetings and formations are as follows:
· A Connacht/ Ulster forum which consists of 15 members and met on October 7th 2010.
· A Dublin forum which consists of 20 members and met on October 14th 2010.
· A Rest of Leinster forum which consists of 19 members and convened on November 1st 2010.
· A Munster forum which consists of 20 members and convened on November 11th 2010.

Members of the Council were selected by the then Minister and appointed for a period of five years. In making these appointments, the Minister took into account factors such as the need to have a balance between countries of origin, places of residence in Ireland and the desirability of having an appropriate gender balance. All appointments to the Council have been finalised.

Minister of State White said: “I am very pleased to be announcing the establishment of the Council today. Just under five hundred valid applications for appointment – from seventy six countries - to the Ministerial Council were received and the overall standard was excellent. There was a commitment in ‘Migration Nation’ to establish a council to advise Government on issues faced by migrants and I am pleased to be implementing this. I expect that all of the appointed members will make a valuable contribution to building a more socially cohesive and inter-cultural Ireland. It is very important that we listen to what migrants have to say, to listen to their experience of living in this country and ideas on how we can work together to create better integrated communities. I look forward to working in partnership with the Council on our future work.”

Minister of State White added: “There is no doubt that every applicant would have been in a position to make a positive contribution on the Council. Given the constraints on numbers, it was inevitable that some candidates would be disappointed. I want to thank all who applied and compliment them on the quality of their applications.”

Background Notes:

1. A notice inviting expressions of interest from migrants for appointment to a Ministerial Council on Integration was published in the National press on the 2nd June 2010 and in the Regional Press shortly thereafter.
2. Just fewer than 500 valid applications were received in the Office of the Minister for Integration before the closing date of the 7th July 2010.
3. The position as a Member of the Council is unpaid and voluntary. Applicants for appointment to the Council were required to have been legally residing in the State for more than two years or to have acquired citizenship.
4. Meetings of the Regional Forums of the Council will take place approximately 2/ 3 times a year. A press release will issue following each regional forum.
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	Members of the Connacht/Ulster Regional Forum of the Ministerial Council with Minister White and Galway County Manager, Martina Moloney.

Inaugural meeting of the Dublin regional forum of the Ministerial Council. Members are seen with Minister White and officials from the Councils in the Dublin area.

	Inaugural meeting of the Leinster regional forum of the Ministerial Council on Integration. Members are seen with Minister Mary White and Mr Tom Barry, Carlow County Manager.

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Inaugural meeting of the Munster regional forum of the Ministerial Council on Migrant Integration. Members are seen with Minister Mary White and Mr Con O'Donnell of Cork City Council.

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Office for the Promotion of Migrant Integration

Ministerial Council on Migrant Integration