One of Dublin's busiest and multi-cultural streets is to be made into an international quarter making it the China Town of Ireland.

For years Parnell Street has been synonymous with traders from various countries, mainly Africa and Asia.

Ireland's Capital has been looking for some time to create an area of multi-ethnicity and Parnell street was finally chosen as the destination.

The proposal came from Fine Gael Councilor, Bill Tormey and the area will now be called "Parnell International New-Irish Town."

He said he wanted to give recognition to "the multi-ethnicity of the business and traders in that area which reflect the presence and vitality of the new Irish".

He said: "Thirty years ago this was a theocratic cultural dump and we should recognise the contribution of those not born in Ireland."

A recent census revealed that ten percent of the population in Dublin was born outside of the country.

However, not everyone was happy with the decision.

Independent Councilor Mannix Flynn said: "I agree with the sentiment but I think we should come up with a more original idea.

"Parnell Street is too small and these people will move from the area once rents become cheaper somewhere else."