A new draft Government policy says that migration into Ireland must be of benefit to Irish people.
The document also says that integration of those who choose to make Ireland their home must be founded on respect for Irish social and cultural norms.
And it describes the current €2bn spend on international protection and temporary protection as "unsustainable" and it notes that over 50% of those accessing emergency accommodation are not Irish nationals.
The policy document was drafted by officials in the Department of Justice and circulated to senior Government ministers.
It will form part of the new National Migration and Integration Strategy which is being prepared by Government to set out policy in the area for the coming years.
This strategy will be published later this year.
The plan sets out discussion points for the development of migration policy and says that the primary function of the policy must be "to ensure that immigration to Ireland is sustainable, orderly and ultimately to the benefit of the people of Ireland".
Labour has criticised the details of the plan as "dog whistle rhetoric".
Party leader Ivana Bacik said: "It doubles down on the spirit of dog whistle rhetoric we have seen from government in recent months where they are expressing sentiments that are hostile to inward migration".
She noted that the report itself acknowledges that Ireland needs people to come here to build houses, to engage in healthcare and care sectors and to run retail and hospitality sectors.
The Government paper notes that the increase in people coming to Ireland has "placed pressures on certain public services, the ability to integrate and increased demand for accommodation within the State".
The document also poses the question as to whether efforts should be made to reduce overall immigration "in light of its costs and benefits for housing and public services".
It notes: "Ireland already has one of the highest populations which was born outside of the State in the OECD.
"Slowing immigration growth will have an impact in reducing pressure on housing and other public services.
"However, consideration of this question should also reflect the impact this would have on restricting economic and labour force growth (for example in the construction sector), re-balancing an aging population, fiscal strain and ensuring the integrity of the Social Insurance Fund among other factors."
Today the Labour party launched an advertising campaign highlighting the positive contributions of migrants to Ireland.
It features the stories of three migrants from Ukraine, Syria and India who have settled in the country.
Ms Bacik said that these were the real stories of the positive contribution of migration and she said these were the stories that the Government should be telling.
