24 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the complaints, if any, regarding racism received by his Department or the embassy in London from Irish nationals in Britain; the complaints, if any, regarding harassment by police officers and immigration officials at ports and airports; the statistics covering these occurrences over the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25638/99]

Complaints of racist treatment and/or harassment by public authorities such as police, prison and immigration officers are occasionally received from Irish people residing in or visiting Britain. Precise statistics are not kept but the incidence of such complaints has diminished in recent years.