The Irish Refugee Council has attacked a Fianna Fail election candidate in Dublin South West for using "inappropriate and inaccurate" language in a leaflet which calls for curbs on illegal immigrants.
In election literature issued last week, Mr Colm McGrath called for an urgent review of the allocation of houses to illegal immigrants in his constituency. He claimed people in Tallaght and Clondalkin were "incensed" at the behaviour of "alleged political refugees" who were "milking" the social welfare system.
However, according to the council, the issue of illegal immigration is separate from that of asylum, although the latter may involve the use of illegal entry to seek safety from torture, unjust imprisonment and death in another country.