Posted on 10/02/2005 6:58:35 PM PDT by Murtyo
HERE was a large turnout yesterday at the first ever open day in An Garda Síochána for ethnic minorities.
People from a host of nationalities and minorities travelled to the Garda College in Templemore for a sample of a possible career in the force.
Gardaí were very impressed by the level of interest and the number of inquiries from people from ethnic minorities regarding the new recruitment phase.
The new campaign, adverts for which began appearing this week, is specifically aimed at attracting non-Irish members into the force.
Justice Minister Michael McDowell received approval from the Cabinet at the beginning of the month to make changes to recruitment criteria for the gardaí.
This includes the dropping of the requirement that applicants have a Leaving Cert qualification in Irish and English.
This is replaced with the requirement for a qualification in two languages, only one of which has to be either Irish or English.
Irish will continue to be a requirement for graduation and applicants who do not speak the language will have to attend classes and achieve a certain standard.
Mr McDowell said the changes will open up the force to people from all parts of the community and all ethnic backgrounds.
He said the new system would ensure that future recruits reflected the composition of Irish society. He said Ireland was increasingly multi-ethnic and that the existing absolute requirement for garda trainees to hold an academic qualification in Irish was undoubtedly a barrier to membership.
Are there really any other "ethnicities" in Ireland than the Irish?
Just a thought. If a society really wanted to be diverse and tolerant, it would ignore differences, instead of promoting or recruiting people because of them.
Just one thing after the other for thousands of years.
BTW, did I tell you, the Irish have an historic reputation for fighting. Hope these newcomers have a feel for that.
There goes Ireland!
Hey man, I'm part Irish, and have been in more than one fight with an Irishman. You don't have to tell me about their reputation.
When I was in Ireland in July, I was surprised to see how many young Indians are employed in the hotels. Where are the Irish kids working?
I don't think they are. The Irish tend to go to America or join the IRA. (No offense to the Irish, I'm part Irish, I love the Irish.)
Irish kids don't work all that much - their parents make enough money that the kids can learn playstation.
"i don't think" about sums you up.
yea, there are lots, Poles, Nigerians, etc.
I'm Scots-Irish. Is the same happening in the North as well?
You lookin' for a fight, arse?
ain't looking for one, but I'll deal with it if it comes my way.
likely - Northern Ireland is policed by the the British, 'cause they still run the place. I'm sure they have all kinds of diversity programs, they don't have all the immigrants that the Republic does, cause folks ain't as excited about moving to Belfast.
You got a funny way of not looking for one. Who do you think I am, Kerry?
I thought they already do, don't half the Guards come from Mayo?
Those characteristics, plus the fact they tend to resemble some Europeans, give them a tremendous edge in the European Union job markets!
Pick a place in the EU and the Irish draw higher pay levels than the naaatives.
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