Outgoing Independent Senator David Norris has said he does not believe that the far right poses an "enormous threat" to Ireland.
In an interview with RTÉ's The Week in Politics, ahead of his retirement in January, Mr Norris argued that Ireland has a "strong, healthy and democratic" parliamentary establishment.
On recent riots in the centre of Dublin, close to his home in the north inner city, he said that it was "extraordinary the amount of damage that a small and insignificant number of people" could inflict.
Senator Norris criticised the Government for a lack of investment in his area in recent years, although he said he did not believe that this was linked to the recent violence.
"Apparently the public coffers are awash with money and why don't they spend it on this side," he asked.
David Norris is Ireland's longest serving senator, after 36 years in the upper house.
Asked about what he thinks his political legacy will be, he said that it was for others to decide and that he was more focused on the future.
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After his retirement Mr Norris plans on spending more time at his holiday home in Cyprus, although he will not be moving their permanently.
He said that he would remain interested in politics. However, he is unsure about his ability to stay involved in campaigning.
"I don't have huge resources of energy anymore. All my life I had terrific energy, I could live on two hours sleep very easily but now I sleep for Ireland," he told the programme.
The 79-year-old explained that he has had cancer in "practically every part of my body" and is being "kept alive" by taking a number of pills each day.
"One goes on, you don't let it affect you," he insisted.
