Politicians in Cork city need to think twice about using the racist card in a bid to attract voters in the next general election, according to Cork Progressive Democrats chairman Mr John Minihan.
The Cork North Central councillor said certain TDs in the city were hijacking the asylum-seeker issue in a bid to advance their political careers.
"We need leadership on the issue instead of cheap shots being thrown at asylum-seekers. Some politicians are pandering to the lowest common denominator. People are losing sight of their responsibilities on human rights." Mr Minihan said efforts have to be made to prevent Cork being branded as a racist and unfriendly city.
He also expressed concern about the possible damage caused by Cork Fianna Fáil TD Mr Noel O'Flynn's controversial comments about asylum-seekers.
"I don't want to start a slanging match with Noel O'Flynn, but what he has done is attack the easiest target - those who have no vote and are victims of the system. It would be a better service to the people of Cork to address the system."
He said he was recently contacted by the mother of a child who was racially taunted while playing near her home. Non- national doctors and nurses may become reluctant to travel to Cork if it gains a reputation as unwelcoming and racist.
"This is a country where workers at Dunnes Stores went on strike to support the anti-apartheid campaign in South Africa. It is crazy to think that children are being taunted on the street because of the colour of their skin."
He said politicians in Cork should not use asylum-seekers as scapegoats in a bid to deflect attention from issues such as crime, unemployment and health.
His comments come in the wake of remarks made by the Tánaiste, Ms Harney, at Tramore Secondary School in Co Waterford.
In an address to students, the PD leader said recent remarks made by politicians about asylum-seekers were irresponsible and inflammatory. She added that people should not vote for candidates who fail to respect the basic dignity of all persons.
Mr Minihan is aiming to win a Dáil seat in the highly-competitive Cork North Central constituency. He faces stiff competition from Labour councillor Ms Kathleen Lynch, who is aiming to regain the seat she lost in the last general election.
Other candidates in the constituency include Mr Joe O'Callaghan, who is running as an independent after failing to be added to the Labour ticket in the constituency. He was expelled from the party following his controversial comments on denying automatic rights of citizenship to children of asylum-seekers born in Ireland.
Mr O'Callaghan, Ms Lynch and Mr Minihan hope to take a seat from Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael in the constituency.
Fianna Fáil's three sitting TDs, Minister of State Mr Dan Wallace, Mr Billy Kelleher and Mr Noel O'Flynn, are all contesting the election.
Fine Gael TD Mr Liam Burke has retired from politics, with a councillor, Mr Gerry Kelly, running in his place.