A draft program of work for the new Irish Government includes targets for the number of people from ethnic minority backgrounds employed in the country’s Public Service.
It comes after the Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party were expected to enter a coalition and form the next Government after months of negotiation.
They agreed on the draft program which says: “Targets to increase the proportion of Public and Civil Servants from ethnic minority backgrounds”.
The move comes amidst anti-racism protests and debates about systemic racism around the world following the death of George Floyd, who was killed during an arrest by Minneapolis Police last month.
It also follows a plea from Taoiseach (Prime Minister), Leo Varadkar for the introduction of the targets.
They are one of a series of reforms agreed in the draft program, which also asserts that the new administration will “ensure that the State becomes closer and more responsive to citizens and their needs”.
“We will ensure public services are efficient, understandable and as transparent as possible,” the program said.
“We will do our utmost to protect and enhance democracy through a series of political and Public Service reforms and use our Global Ireland Program to promote them,” it said
A General Election was held in Ireland in February, but no party got a majority.
If the coalition is agreed by the three parties’ members, it will be the first time Ireland’s two main parties – Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael – have governed jointly.
Sinn Fein, which secured the largest share of the popular vote, has condemned the arrangement.
Dublin, 21 June 2020
