The Fine Gael leader, Enda Kenny, has said controversial views put forward by his party's candidate in Dublin North West, Dr Bill Tormey, were his own personal views, not party policy.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Late Late Show on Friday, Dr Tormey backed calls for the legalisation of drugs and mandatory HIV testing for people entering Ireland from sub-Saharan Africa, including missionaries.
Mr Kenny said those were Dr Tormey's own views as a medical expert, but that party policy was decided by the front bench and Dr Tormey did not speak for Fine Gael on these issues.
