THE GOVERNMENT needs the help of groups like the GAA if it is to succeed in the integration of immigrants into Irish society, the sporting body’s president said yesterday.
Speaking at the launch of the GAA’s inclusion and integration strategy, its outgoing president Nickey Brennan said the Government could not manage integration on its own.
The five-year strategy aims to encourage people of all nationalities and religious backgrounds living in Ireland to get involved with the GAA. The organisation will develop a communications strategy and will assist in the development of integration modules for schools. A welcome pack including a DVD will be produced giving basic instructions in Gaelic games in Polish, Lithuanian, Latvian, Chinese and French.
And the GAA has also appointed an inclusion officer, Tony Watene from New Zealand, to promote best practice within the organisation. The initiative is supported by the Camogie Association and the Ladies’ Gaelic Football Association as well as by the Office of the Minister for Integration, which has committed to funding of €80,000 for the strategy this year. Mr Brennan said the Government had taken integration seriously by the appointment of Conor Lenihan as Minister for Integration.
“We also know that for the Government to succeed in their role in this area they need organisations like the GAA to help them, they can’t do it on their own,” he said.
“We as a community-based organisation want to put our shoulders to the wheel and help the Minister and the Government to achieve their objectives in this area because their objectives are our objectives,” he said.
He urged the Government to continue supporting the project into the future.
Conor Lenihan, who officially launched the strategy, said the funding set aside last year would be maintained by his office in the current year.
Integration must come from the ground up and not just from the Government, he said.
“The GAA has a unique network of community-based clubs and club facilities and it has a unique role in welcoming everyone of every kind,” he said.
On his own future in the Government, the Minister, who will vacate his post on June 21st with all other Ministers of State, said he was confident the Taoiseach would appoint the best new team.
“I’m not particularly worried one way or the other,” he said. But he said he hoped the role of Minister for Integration would remain, whoever occupied it.
