As cultural diversity grows in Ireland so does the need to deal with discrimination and racism.
The United Nations International Day Against Racism and Discrimination is marked in Dublin with a street carnival. Anti-racism campaigners warn that as Ireland becomes more multicultural, racism is becoming more apparent.
International Day Against Rscism commemorates the battle against Apartheid and the massacre of 69 people in Sharpeville in South Africa 40 years ago.
In Dublin, Youth Action Against Discrimination encouraged people from different backgrounds to leave their handprints as a symbol of diversity in society. Blanca Blanco from Youth Action Against Discrimination says that racism in Ireland is not new and that there has been discrimination against people from the Traveller community for years.
As the number of refugees arriving in Ireland increases, anti-racism campaigners have been critical of the government's approach to the issue. Donncha O'Connell of the Irish Council for Civil Liberties is particularly critical of the lack of clarity on government plans for reception centres and raises concerns about the state record on institutional care.
Are we going to have privately run reception centres or are they going to be run by the state?
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 21 March 2000. The reporter is Eilis Brennan.
