A Fianna Fail MEP has written to the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, asking him to introduce an antiracism pledge for all future party election candidates.
Mr Niall Andrews is to also ask the Fianna Fail national executive and parliamentary party to amend the new party code of conduct to include penalties for candidates found to be inciting racism. He said all political parties, and not just Fianna Fail, should introduce an anti-racism pledge.
He told The Irish Times last night he was concerned that a minority of candidates across all parties might attempt to cash in on racist feelings in the next general election.
Mr Andrews, a member of the Civil Liberties Committee of the European Parliament, said an anti-racism pledge would send a strong message to Irish society that tolerance of racist activities would not be accepted.
The MEP said everyone must individually and collectively recognise that there had been a change in Irish society in recent years and particularly in large cities.
"Ireland for the first time in its history is experiencing net immigration as well as the arrival of refugees and asylum-seekers in the country.
"We must face up to the challenges which arise from such circumstances with a sense of determination, fairness and understanding. There cannot be any room for opportunities to be given for racism to be promoted or tolerated in our society."
Recently Mr Andrews said the far-right Austrian politician, Dr Jorg Haider, would get 50 per cent of the vote if he stood in a Dublin election, such was the level of racism and xenophobia.
"Racism in Dublin is endemic and is a very big problem. It is an issue that will surface in the next election," he said. There was a need for real political leadership on the issue. "The silence is deafening," he said.
