Tánaiste and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris has said Ireland's asylum seeker system is not working and that the Government should reconsider existing policies "in a very serious way".
The comment has led to a divided response among opposition parties, with some welcoming the "u-turn" and others saying it is a "cynical" attempt to "blame" those seeking help.
Speaking as he arrived at Government Buildings for the latest cabinet meeting this morning, Mr Harris was asked about existing immigration policy in light of what happened in CityWest last week.
The Fine Gael leader said the violent scenes were unacceptable, and in some cases amounted to "thuggery".
However, while stressing Ireland has benefited from immigration and will continue to do so, he added: "Our migration numbers are too high, and I think that is really an issue that needs to be considered in a very serious way by Government.
"One of the reasons I think they are so high is that there are too many people who come to this country and are told they do not have a right to be here, and it is taking too long for them to leave the country.
"But I think we have to be honest, we have to listen to the people of this country, who I believe are saying to us we used to live in a country where 2,000 to 3,000 people sought international protection each year.
"That number has gone to in or around 20,000; that is a very, very significant increase, and it is too high."
The Tánaiste's comments have divided political opinion among opposition parties.
In a statement to RTÉ News, Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín described Mr Harris's comments as "a significant u-turn".
He added: "Over the last five years, Fine Gael has resisted pressure to reduce numbers, and they have resisted pressure to ensure deportations are actioned."
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín described Simon Harris's comments as 'a significant u-turn' (File image)
Social Democrats justice spokesperson Gary Gannon said: "The Government's handling of this issue has been shambolic.
"They have failed to adequately resource the system or set up a sufficient number of State run reception centres.
"Now the Tánaiste is cynically trying to blame vulnerable people caught up in that broken system for problems his Government created."
Separately, Sinn Féin's justice spokesperson Matt Carthy said: "The Tánaiste’s remarks acknowledge what Sinn Féin have been saying for years, that the international protection system is still not working.
"Decisions are still taking far too long. Deportations are not being tracked or enforced.
"Unfortunately, as per usual, Simon Harris is speaking like a commentator rather than someone who has been at the heart of the governments that have overseen this mess."
