AQW 2967/16-21

Ms Kellie Armstrong
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 13/09/2016
Answered On Date: 27/09/2016
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister what discussions they have had with counterparts in England, Scotland and Wales on the increase in the number of refugees and racial tensions.

Answer:

We are pleased to be playing our part in assisting with the humanitarian crisis in Syria by participating in the Vulnerable Persons Relocation (VPR) scheme. The initial reception and settlement of the refugees who have come to live among us has gone well and we have been heartened by the positive reaction to their arrival and that they have been made to feel welcome.

The impact of the refugee crisis was considered last year in the 25th summit meeting of the British Irish Council. During this meeting we discussed the efforts across the eight BIC Member Administrations and internationally to help refugees, and the value of joint working and cooperation on the domestic resettlement of refugees.

Our officials hold monthly discussions with colleagues from the Home Office in London, and the Scottish and Welsh Governments in relation to the Vulnerable Persons Relocation scheme. They are also in frequent bilateral contacts, including with officials in Dublin. These discussions provide a valuable opportunity to share best practice and raise any common issues or areas of concern.

We are pleased that recent statistics from the PSNI have shown a reduction in both racist incidents and racist crime. While there have been a few isolated incidents, the majority of people have been very welcoming of refugees. However, there is no room for complacency.

The Racial Equality Strategy contains the commitment that we will work with the Department of Justice to develop our approach to tackling race hate crime and we are working to progress the implementation of this Strategy. It is our view that there is absolutely no place for racism or intolerance of any kind in our society.