Racism is "subtle and selfish" in Irish society and a lack of services in deprived areas is often a major cause, it was claimed today.
The Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Mr Ó Cuív said the problem was inherent in Irish society and directed against asylum seekers, Travellers and even Irish-language speakers.
He said that part of the source of racism in Ireland is in deprived areas where groups are competing for scarce resources and services.
He explained: "It's got to do with poverty and lack of opportunity. People are afraid if they're on a housing list and they think somebody coming into their community is going to put them 10 places down that list.
"I will continue to fight for the resources to ensure that we target the racism issue in all its forms."
The minister was speaking at the launch of an information pack by a Government sub-committee on racism.
Racism watchdog, NCCRI has recorded an average of 47 incidents every six months since its records began in 2001.
It has already seen 50 such incidents in the last four months, many of which occurred during the Government's citizenship referendum campaign.
Recent incidents included a racist attack on a South African asylum-seeker in Limerick, an assault on a Pakistani woman in Dublin and racially-abusive post sent to a Nigerian local election candidate.
Minister Ó Cuív pointed that most forms of racism are indirect or subtle.
He said: "People can be non-racist on one hand but act in a totally racist way on the other hand. This is a very complex issue.
"We must adequately deal with racism and be equally hard on the subtle forms as well as the upfront forms that are easily identified."
He referred to the "traditional antipathy" towards to the Traveller community but pointed out that "we embrace somebody like boxer Francie Barrett who comes from the Traveller family."
Minister Ó Cuív also said it was "absolutely fascinating" to watch how people objected to Government policy allowing for the translation of public documents into the the Irish language.
He said: "People forget that there are two official languages in this country."
PA