The Minister for Justice has described as "inappropriate and unhelpful", comments on asylum-seekers made by a Fianna Fáil TD. John O'Donoghue said he did not accept the view of Deputy Noel O'Flynn that asylum-seekers and refugees were spongers and freeloaders.
On RTÉ's This Week programme, Mr O'Donoghue said the comments were not helpful and that the Taoiseach, who was also annoyed about them, would be discussing the remarks with the Cork North Central TD.
Mr O'Donoghue also said there was merit in the idea that all general election candidates sign an anti-racism pledge. He said the election should not become a political fight about immigration.
The Justice Minister added that while the recent violent death of a young Chinese man in Dublin was terrible, he did not believe that racism was rampant in Ireland.
He said his policy on the deportation of unsuccessful asylum-seekers would continue and that there could not be any "amnesty" for those people already in Ireland who were waiting for their asylum application to be processed.
