Fianna Fáil MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú has asked former taoiseach Bertie Ahern to consider issuing an apology following recent comments he made in relation to migration.
Mr Ahern was criticised yesterday for remarks he made in a video which circulated on social media in recent days.
He was recorded in the video as saying, in a conversation, that "the ones I worry about are the Africans", that he has concerns about the level of immigration, and that Ireland "can't be taking in people" coming from "the Congo", as well as the next generation of Muslims in Ireland.
He does go on to say that Ireland should be accepting of people coming from Ukraine, however, following the war there.
It was filmed while Mr Ahern joined Fianna Fáil's Dublin Central Bye-Election candidate John Stephens while canvassing in the constituency.
Mr Ahern said yesterday that he has "no problem with people who come to Ireland through the visa and asylum systems".
Speaking to RTÉ News, he said that the video was recorded without his knowledge and added it was recorded "around nine or ten days ago".
Watch: 'We can't be taking in people from the Congo and all these places', says Bertie Ahern
He also said the footage circulating online was part of a longer conversation.
"I support Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan's policies on immigration, let there be no doubt about," Mr Ahern said.
"I have said in the past the asylum process should be quicker, but I do acknowledge it has speeded up a bit in recent times," he added.
"I have no problem with people who come here through the visa and asylum systems," he said, adding that many African people who had gone through the system successfully live and work in his locality.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Ms Ní Mhurchú said that Mr Ahern’s comments were "very unhelpful", adding that we "cannot be calling out a certain ethnicity, race or country".
She said that the remarks do not represent the views of Fianna Fáil.
"This is not the Bertie Ahern I know and respect, and am so fond of. This is out of character," she said.
Apologies matter, Ms Ní Mhurchú added, particularly in the current climate and that she disagreed that his comments were just "blunt language".
She said that she believes in freedom of expression, but that there is a need for nuanced, balanced and sensible conversations and discussion based on facts, and not to make people feel excluded.
"It’s really important that we have sensible conversations around this topic, unfortunately, this (Bertie Ahern's comments) did not add to a sensible conversation."
Speaking on the same programme, former Lord Mayor of Dublin and Independent Councillor Nial Ring described the recording as "real gotcha politics at its lowest levels", adding that Mr Ahern does not need to apologise.
He said the former taoiseach was speaking bluntly, and he has given context to his comments.
"If we start cancelling and looking for apologies based on the 10 second clip, taken out of context, nobody would be safe from the woke brigade in this case.
"I mean, it's just really a storm in a teacup."
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Bertie Ahern takes centre stage once more in Dublin Central
Mr Ring said the comment that Mr Ahern made about Congo was "probably ill-judged".
The chairperson of the Irish Muslim Peace and Integration Council yesterday described his remarks as "deeply disturbing".
Chief Imam of the Islamic Centre of Ireland Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadri said they were "offensive to all immigrants".
Dr Al-Qadri said that "while it's important to discuss the challenges facing Ireland openly and honestly, we must avoid rhetoric that scapegoats entire communities.
"Such remarks reflect a worrying lack of understanding and I believe they risk undermining the values of respect and inclusion that Irish society stands for," he said.
Mr Ring said that he does not understand the concern that Dr Al-Qadri has about the comments.
"I don't understand his concern, but I would say one of the people, the best people in this country, and over the last 50 years for reaching out, to use that politically correct phrase, for reaching out to people would be Bertie Ahern.
"I would say he would talk to that man and talk about the Muslims and talk about what's happening.
"I mean, you can't dismiss somebody who's delivered a peace process that's brought peace to a whole generation of people".
You can find a full list of the candidates in the Dublin Central bye-election here
