The Chief Executive of the Irish Refugee Council has said he is deeply concerned by the arson attack carried out on an IPAS accommodation centre in Co Louth.
Four children, including a baby, were among five people rescued from the top floor of a building housing International Protection applicants on Friday night in Drogheda.
A number of people were brought to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, following the incident. It is understood none had serious injuries.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Nick Henderson called for an extensive security review of IPAS centres to be carried out.
He added that dozens of arson attacks have been carried out on locations proposed for centres over the last number of years.
"You could arguably say it should have already happened. There's been 30 plus arson attacks against locations proposed to be accommodation centres," Mr Henderson said.
"There's already a track record of arson attacks. We think it should be extensive.
"There's more than 300 centres across the country, and a security review, looking at the safety and situation of residents is essential," he added.
Minister of State for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Colm Brophy said yesterday that an urgent security review of all IPAS centres will take place in the wake of an arson attack in Drogheda.
Mr Brophy said that safety must be the utmost concern and all centres will be reviewed as soon as possible.
Mr Henderson said a pattern of attacks has been ongoing for several years, but it now seems to be "crossing a Rubicon" to attacking areas where people are living.
"There should be a general security audit or analysis and trying to identify where the centres are that are most at risk.
"I think it would also have to be done in an appropriate and sensitive way," he said.
Mr Henderson added that International Protection applications who are not given accommodation on arrival in Ireland also need to be given more support.
"If it's unsafe for somebody behind bricks, it's certainly unsafe for somebody sleeping in a tent on the canal in Dublin, and that security review should include the situation of people seeking protection or homeless, and that policy should end immediately of not giving accommodation to people. It's simply not safe."
He said said that politicians need to be more careful with their language.
Mr Henderson also said Tánaiste Simon Harris was careless in his language when he said the Government should reconsider existing immigration policies "in a very serious way".
The Irish Refugee Council chief said Mr Harris’ remarks were careless given it has been less than two weeks since the unrest in Citywest.
"I don't think anybody, including ourselves, the Refugee Council, are against debate whatsoever. And we would debate, engage with people all the time.
"But this is an incredibly fragile and sensitive period, and Ministers should be careful with their language," Mr Henderson said.
A parish priest in Drogheda said people are shocked by the arson attack and it does not represent them.
Father Eugene Sweeney of St Peter's Parish in the town said life is sacred and people deserve respect and protection - regardless of their colour or religious beliefs.
Also speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, he said he was unaware of tensions locally following the attack.
I think Irish people are very conscious that we are a migrant people, Fr Sweeney said.
Meanwhile, the Government is considering introducing a charging model for residents of IPAS centres who are working.
Ministers will meet today to discuss signing off on contributions of between €15 and €238 per week, depending on earnings.
It is thought that such a system could take nine to 12 months to implement.
Mr Henderson said he believes most residents who are in long term employment and living in an IPAS centre would be happy to contribute.
However, he pointed out that most people in this accommodation are living in very difficult circumstances and many do not tend to be in long term employment.
He added that a third of the IPAS population is children and there is no child benefit for those living in direct provision.
