Attitudes towards immigrants and foreign nationals appear to have softened significantly in recent years, new research suggests.
A national opinion poll commissioned by the steering group of the National Action Plan Against Racism indicates that people are more positively disposed towards newcomers and have greater contact with them, compared to research conducted three years ago.
However, the results show misperceptions about the scale of asylum seekers arriving here and concern over future levels of immigration into Ireland.
The apparent shift in understanding and awareness of foreign nationals and their contribution to society coincides with a dramatic increase in the number of immigrants from Eastern Europe arriving here since EU enlargement in May 2004.
The research includes an opinion poll of 1,000 adults across the State, as well as interviews with focus groups of Irish people and foreign nationals.
Among the positive findings were a 5 per cent reduction in the proportion of respondents who have witnessed racism or racist behaviour, from 18 per cent in 2003 to 13 per cent this year.
There was also a significant increase in the number of people who have mixed with new communities, rising from 36 per cent to 67 per cent in the past three years.
The general impression among respondents of people from new communities has increased positively by almost 10 per cent.
More respondents than in 2003 said they were keen to find out more about newcomers and would socialise with them.
However, concerns remain over issues such as freedom of movement and future levels of immigration. While half of respondents felt EU enlargement has been beneficial to Ireland, half also expressed concern about future levels of immigration.
Of this proportion, 55 per cent felt there would be too many foreign nationals, 44 per cent felt immigrants would replace Irish workers, while 29 per cent believe they would contribute to a rise in crime.
General concern over immigration levels and freedom of movement, however, are smaller when compared to 2003 figures.
Chairwoman of the National Action Plan against Racism steering group, Lucy Gaffney, welcomed the positive shift in people's attitudes towards new communities.
"It appears that much of that change comes with time and experience of new communities and cultures," she said.
Philip Watt, of the National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism, said concern expressed in the poll over future immigration pointed to the need for a "managed migration policy".
He said among the challenges will be the need for greater integration, such as whether foreign nationals will be accepted into areas of the workforce currently dominated by Irish nationals.
"There are lots of Polish architects and lawyers working in Spar. Will they be able to get into the professions they are qualified for? This will be a big challenge for many professions."
Negative issues mentioned by immigrants included the high cost of living, unpredictable weather and dirty streets.
