Ireland must not repeat the "horrendous and stupid" mistakes other European countries have made in dealing with integration, Minister of State Conor Lenihan has warned.
He also insisted the State's tourist "propaganda" must be a reality with "a smile and a hundred thousand welcomes" for immigrants as well as for visitors.
Mr Lenihan was speaking at a graduation ceremony in Dublin where he presented certificates to 206 immigrants who completed a range of courses including English language, computer studies, photography, life skills and employment training for the parents of Irish-born children.
In a surprise attack on other countries' integration efforts, he warned that "we must not repeat the horrendous and stupid mistakes of other so-called sophisticated European countries who have made a mess of integration."
Speaking afterwards, Mr Lenihan said that in countries like the Netherlands and France "it is not uncommon for three generations of immigrant families not to even speak the language". Integration could not work that way, he said. "We must get it right."
Ireland promoted itself "the length and breadth of the globe" as being friendly and the land of the 100,000 welcomes. The first Minister specifically appointed with responsibility for integration, Mr Lenihan told his audience that "my job is to make sure the propaganda is a reality and not just for tourists who are here for a week or two but for those who come to work and live. The Taoiseach in appointing me is sending a strong message of commitment to integration".
Mr Lenihan said "we have approximately two to three years to get the structures right," and to fix the gaps in the system, including language. "With economic progress running at 4.5 per cent we continue to need migrant labour," he added.
The courses were run by Spirasi, a non-governmental organisation which works with migrants to encourage integration in Ireland and is assisted by the State's Reception and Integration Agency.
Eloho Egwuterai, who graduated in photography believes the best way to encourage integration is "getting immigrants to do an integration course and getting local people to do similar courses. It takes two to integrate".
Ms Egwuterai, who works with Sports Against Racism, said many Irish people were fearful of immigrants because they did not know them. "Most people mean no harm and want to be useful and to be given a chance."
There were "bad eggs among immigrants", and more than 70 per cent of people said they did not like Nigerians "because of what they've heard, but only heard". She pointed out however there were many Nigerians doing great jobs and integrating well.
She said almost every black person in Ireland, had experienced racism, whether it was derogatory comments or not being shown the same courtesy as Irish people.
Egide Dhala, Spirasi's programme director said "we can't start talking about integration if people don't come together".
