Former taoiseach Bertie Ahern has stood over views he expressed on immigration in a video posted on social media, but added he was wrong to signal out a particular group of people.
Speaking to the Indo Daily podcast, Mr Ahern acknowledged his comments around immigration were "not careful or polished".
However, he said it represented a "sad day" if Ireland has reached the point where you get "jumped on" for discussing an issue of importance for ordinary people.
The former Fianna Fáil leader signalled out people arriving from "the Congo" as well as "the next generation of Muslims" in a doorstep conversation while out canvassing with Fianna Fáil Dublin Central bye-election candidate John Stephens.
Comments 'never intended to target or demean any group of people'
Mr Ahern insisted that he rejects racism in all its forms and that his record in public office shows this.
He said he regretted highlighting Africans when talking about his concerns.
"My comments were never intended to target or demean any group of people, and in particular I should not have singled out any one nationality or group of people. That was wrong," he told host Kevin Doyle.
However, the former taoiseach stopped short of offering a full apology - as called for by Labour Party Leader Ivana Bacik and Fianna Fáil Ireland South MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú - saying: "I don't think there is anything wrong talking about what the people are talking about."
He also expressed disappointment with Chair of the Irish Islamic Centre Dr Umar Al-Qadri - who had called Mr Ahern's comments deeply disturbing.
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"I'm very disappointed that he ran to RTÉ to make his comments. He could have waited until he got home and rang me because he knows me well enough.
"And he knows the amount of time and support and effort that I've given to the Muslims. Thankfully, a lot of the people of the Muslim organisations are more thankful," he said.
Asked why he referenced "the Congo" specifically, Mr Ahern said there was a war in the country which could trigger people arriving here in Ireland for asylum.
Espousing on his concerns regarding the next generation of Muslims, Mr Ahern said: "What I'm worried about is that in both France and the UK, there has been in the second generation, radicalisation of the children of people who came in the start.
"I don't have to remind people of several incidents in France in the past number of years. You keep hearing about this in French TV and the UK TV."
FF 'cannot physically stop people from canvassing' - Martin
The three-term taoiseach said he intends to attend his party's Ard Fheis this weekend to mark 100 years since Fianna Fáil was founded.
Mr Ahern said he was annoyed that coverage of his remarks had taken away from the event and that he intends to keep canvassing with the party's Dublin Central bye-election candidate John Stephens.
Meanwhile, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said his party "cannot physically stop people from canvassing" as he addressed questions on whether Mr Ahern should continue participating in the Fianna Fáil bye-election campaign in Dublin Central.
Speaking at the Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis, Mr Martin said his predecessor's views did not represent the views of the party.
"I have no issue in discussing migration but we have to be extremely clear. You will see the number of people at this Ard Fheis from different ethnicities running for office," he said.
"We are not stopping people from canvassing but we are making it clear to all our canvassers what the party position is and what is permissible and what is not permissible," he added.
When pressed on whether Mr. Ahern should continue in Mr. Stephens' campaign, he said: "My own view is - that's a whole new horizon stopping individual people, he didn't know he was being recorded, that's no excuse.
"We cannot physically stop people from canvassing but offer clear guidelines to canvassers on principles ".
Mr. Martin added immigration did not feature as a prominent issue on the seven or eight occasions he had canvassed in Dublin Central in recent weeks.
All candidates in the Dublin Central bye-elections are availble in the constituency profile here.
Additional reporting Barry Lenihan
