All politicians are to be asked to sign an anti-racism declaration aimed at taking the race card out of election campaigning.
The initiative comes in the wake of growing concerns about recent remarks from some politicians, including South Kerry Independent TD, Mr Jackie Healy-Rae, who warned of "civil rumpus" on the asylum-seeker issue.
A body which advises the Government on issues related to racism has sent a draft of a proposed anti-racism "declaration of intent" to political parties and independent TDs in the past fortnight.
The National Consultative Committee on Racism and Inter culturalism (NCCRI), set up by the Department of Justice, wants all candidates for future elections to agree to "send a consistent and clear message to their constituents that they reject racism".
It has also circulated to political parties a draft of a separate anti-racism protocol, which it wants them to endorse. Signatories to both the protocol and the declaration of intent will "undertake to ensure that election campaigns are conducted in such a way that they do not incite hatred or prejudice on the grounds of `race', colour, nationality or ethnic or national origins, religious belief and membership of the Travelling community."
The NCCRI's director, Mr Philip Watt, said the aim was to "make it more difficult for politicians interested in short-term political gain to play the race card. It's creating an ethos that makes it harder for people to engage in those activities."
The protocol binds parties to "guarantee that when engaging in ongoing debate in relation to groups which are the potential targets of racism, such asylum-seekers and refugees and Travellers, that such debate is conducted in a responsible way and with respect to the dignity and rights of minority ethnic groups."
Parties are asked to inform all party campaigners about the intention and contents of the protocol and to request their candidates for local and general elections, as well as elections to the European Parliament, sign the four-point declaration of intent.
Candidates who sign will agree to "use appropriate and inclusive language and words when referring to people of different ethnic backgrounds, in order to avoid creating prejudice or confusion." This includes avoiding the use of terms such as "bogus asylum-seekers" and "itinerants".
It is understood the Labour Party already endorsed the protocol, and the NCCRI is hoping the other parties will do so before the Tipperary South by-election, likely to be held on June 22nd.
This constituency includes the village of Clogheen, where a hostel due to be used to house asylum-seekers was recently the target of arson attacks. Locals opposed to plans to accommodate more than 30 asylum-seekers in the Vee Valley Hotel struck an agreement earlier this month with its owner to accept up to 15 people.
Mr Watt from the committee said he was very encouraged by the initial response from all parties to the initiative. Asked about Mr Healy-Rae's recent remarks warning of civil rumpus on the asylum-seeker issue and saying "non-genuine ones" should be sent home immediately, Mr Watt said he had concerns about them.
Such comments had "the potential to demonise a vulnerable group such as asylum-seekers and a politician in his position should know better," he said.
The NCCRI intends launching the protocol and declaration of intent before next month's by-election. Independent TDs have been asked for their comments on the draft documents, and the committee has offered to discuss the issues with them.