The Islamic Foundation of Ireland yesterday welcomed the speech by Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny on immigration last week and said it supported his call for a national debate on the issue.
Mr Kenny yesterday met the foundation at South Circular road in Dublin on foot of an invitation issued after his address.
"We were very happy with Mr Kenny's speech and invited him to talk to us to go through the issues," Kamel Ghanem of the foundation said.
After the meeting Mr Kenny said he wanted a national debate on immigration because the potential good immigration represents for the country together with the challenges it brings makes it a matter of extreme national importance.
"Since that speech I have been greatly encouraged by the support which I have received personally and I have been glad to engage with many interested parties who welcomed this debate." Earlier yesterday Mr Kenny met the Immigrant Council of Ireland and visited a school in west Dublin which is under pressure because of a lack of appropriate teaching resources.
"Everyone who lives in Ireland - whatever their country of origin - must work to preserve the peace, security and stability of the nation. In any society this interconnectedness is vital, and when it breaks down society suffers," said Mr Kenny.
"I believe in building an effective immigration system which is based on rights and responsibilities and which works in the interests of both Irish people and our immigrant community. We have an opportunity to get this system right and to avoid the mistakes made in other countries."
He said he was pleased to acknowledge the participation of the Islamic Cultural Centre on the Observer Pillar at the National Forum on Europe. "This kind of participation is positive progress and I will be urging all the groups I meet with over the coming weeks to similarly seek representation among organisations which serve to further the aim of bringing communities together," he said.