The Integration Centre is a non-governmental organisation which is committed to the integration and inclusion of people from immigrant backgrounds in Ireland.

Cllr Joe O Callaghan of Cork City Council is putting down the motion to ‘ban burkas and give gardaí the power to order youths to remove their hoodies’.

Killian Forde, CEO of The Integration Centre said “the worst part of O’Callaghan’s childish, opportunistic, and irresponsible motion is that he equates criminal behavior with the wearing of the Burka’.

‘The last thing our society needs is public figures coming out with blatantly xenophobic rhetoric, in order to satiate their own publicity needs.”

“We will be lodging a complaint with the Standards in Public Office Commission and regarding this matter.”

“Cllr O’Callaghan clearly does not understand that the mandate of local authorities does not extend to what people can or cannot wear.” 

Does he think the rate payers of Cork city council should fund the hiring of fashion police to enforce his dress-code?

“We uphold the right in the republic to express cultural and religious beliefs. That right should continue to be respected.”