Despite some claims to the contrary from northern unionists, the Republic of Ireland is a very long way from being a mono-cultural or mono-ethnic state.
As regular cross-border visitors will be well aware, immigration has had a significant impact on many urban centres across the south in recent years.
For most of the time, those who have come to be known as non-nationals have a positive relationship with both the authorities and their fellow citizens.
However, difficulties have occasionally arisen over insensitive statements from figures in positions of responsibility.
Among the most unfortunate have been the comments which have resulted in two apologies from Irish judges over the last 48 hours.
The first came from Judge Harvey Kenny, who had previously suggested to a court in Castlebar, Co Mayo, that all Nigerians in Ireland drove without insurance.
He told a defendant: "I had a few of them (Nigerians) in Galway yesterday and they are all driving round without insurance – and the way to stop this is to put you in jail."
The second apology came from Judge John Neilan, who, while dealing with a case of alleged shoplifting in Longford, said: "The majority of shopping centres in this district court area will be putting a ban of access to coloured people if this type of behaviour does not stop."
Both judges later withdrew their remarks and expressed deep regret for the offence which they accepted had been caused.
This was the only course of action they could have taken, short of resignation, but questions will inevitably be raised about the levels of training available for members of the judiciary.
As officials from the Longford Chamber of Commerce have already pointed out, the proportion of crime carried out by the immigrant community in their area is lower than the figure for people born and bred in the county.
Demonising those who are regarded as outsiders can never be justified and the views put forward by the judges were not only based on misleading perceptions but were also factually wrong at a most basic level.
The intense debate provoked as a result may prove useful if it prompts a fundamental change of attitude in many sections of society.
