Negotiating the Integration Process of Polish Migrants in Ireland
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The so-called explosive nature of the change that occurred in Irish society from a mono-cultural existence to a diverse multicultural society is said to have impacted heavily on all aspects of Irish society. However, my argument lies within what I term ‘diversity boom’. Has Ireland developed beyond the realm of a mono-cultural enclave? The scope of such a question is too far ranging for this chapter. However, I address this question from a micro level analysis and examine one ethnic group’s integration trajectories to establish if Ireland has indeed developed into a multicultural ‘inclusive’ society, or if this image is portrayed at the surface with nothing concrete underneath. This chapter addresses the issue of integration - Are immigrants integrating? But before this question can be answered a more crucial question must be addressed – Is Ireland’s immigration and integration policies sufficient enough to deal with the influx of immigrants to Ireland? Does Ireland have a coherent cohesive policy discourse in place to create an inclusive rather than an exclusive environment? Further, what is the political attitude emanating from these governmental policies that are in place?