Debate contribution: Race Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1997

Debate contribution by Ms Aisling Reilly on 3 March 2025.

MLA: Ms Aisling Reilly
Party at the time: Sinn Féin
Date: 3 March 2025
Type: Debate contribution (made as a minister)
Business: Oral Answers to Questions
Heading: Race Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1997
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 4825889

Text

Thank you for your supplementary question. I think that we all agree that having a diverse society only enriches the cultural and economic life of absolutely everybody who calls here "home" and that we want a society in which people are protected and treated equally. Our officials have already started to engage with the minority ethnic sector to support and develop how we move forward on racial equality beyond 2025. As I mentioned in my initial answer, we intend to introduce legislation in 2025-26. We have seen disgraceful behaviour in recent times and again at the weekend in south Belfast by those trying to instil fear in our communities. We utterly condemn the attacks and stand with those who were targeted. Tackling racism and racial inequality is a priority for us, as is making sure that there is legislation to protect people.

142 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

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