Remarks by Mr Ivor Callely (FF, Dublin North Central) about asylum-seekers were strongly condemned by a number of deputies. In an interview in The Irish Times yesterday, Mr Callely said that "rogue" asylum-seekers should be "kicked out" of Ireland.
The Labour leader, Mr Ruairi Quinn, accused Mr Callely of embarking upon "racist incitement". The Fine Gael spokesman on justice, Mr Jim Higgins, said there was an urgency about introducing the Refugee Bill in the light of the "highly racist comments" attributed to Mr Callely.
Mr Michael D. Higgins (Labour, Galway West) said Mr Callely's remarks had no place in a democratic society. Mr Joe Higgins (Socialist Party, Dublin West) also criticised the remarks.
