Fianna Fáil TD Cathal Crowe has insisted that his comments about the number of Ukrainian people in Clare are “pro-refugee”.
It comes after several of his Government colleagues expressed concerns that the comments could be used by far-right groups to further their own campaigns.
One politician said that given that following protests in Dublin’s East Wall in recent weeks, TDs need to be “careful” about what they say.
A number of politicians in Clare also dismissed the comments.
Some Fianna Fáil TDs told the Irish Mirror that they were annoyed about Mr Crowe’s comments.
“We’re all coming under pressure in our constituencies. There are people who are affected by the cost of living crisis, people impacted by housing,” one said.
“When people are under pressure, they want someone to blame.
“People regularly reference, ‘you can do this for the Ukrainians, you do that for the Ukrainians’.
“It is being seized upon by certain far-right activists. We have seen that in East Wall.
“People need to be very, very careful about what they say and how they reflect public opinion.
“Cathal is saying that it is just about services and we shouldn’t take any more until we can provide them with schools or healthcare.
“Ask a mother in Ukraine who has two kids in a bomb shelter. She is running for her life. She doesn’t care about whether the kids get to school or whether she can get a doctor's appointment.
“She wants to get out before she gets bombed.”
One Fianna Fáil politician said that while they accept services are under pressure, they were already coming under strain.
Mr Crowe told the Irish Mirror that his comments were “pro-refugee” and his main concern is people sleeping in tents in the middle of winter.
“I held an advice clinic on Monday for Ukrainian refugees. I meet them every week,” he said.
“I’m aware of the positive aspects of refugee provision, and I’m aware of the shortcomings.
“I’ve assisted refugees in court cases they have taken to stay in Ireland.
“It is fine putting up tents in the middle of summer, but now in the month of November with howling winds and horrible weather conditions, it is inhumane to have people in tents.
“It is wrong to have Ukrainian refugees sleeping on the floor of airports and presenting as homeless.
“To provide for someone fleeing a war is not just putting a roof over their heads. There are other metrics of care and support.
“Anyone who tries to misrepresent [my comments] is being disingenuous.”
When asked if he believed a cap was needed, Mr Crowe said that he was not but that “intake should match capacity”.
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