UCD is understood to be investigating one of its economics lecturers over remarks he made to a group of foreign students.
According to an article in a student newspaper, the University Observer, the lecturer, Dr Desmond Norton, referred to students as "China", "Japan" and "darkie".
The students have made a complaint to the college authorities and UCD's registrar is carrying out an investigation. In the report, published last week Dr Norton, says he made "some errors of judgment" when addressing the students during the lectures.
He said if apologies were appropriate he would make them. He said the names mostly referred to where the students were from and the reference to "darkie" was "mis-chosen". UCD sources confirmed that the complaints were being looked into.