Eastern Health Board chairman Mr Ivor Callely has been accused by Labour leader Mr Ruairi Quinn of feeding racist fears by calling for a hardening of the Government's position on asylum-seekers.
Mr Quinn said Mr Callely, in calling for the Government to "get tough" on asylum-seekers and to "throw out" illegal immigrants, was playing a kind of racist card which he thought was appalling.
"Inflammatory comments like those of Deputy Callely can be manipulated by others with even more hostile intent for more sinister purposes," Mr Quinn said. "It is particularly irresponsible at a time when increased incidents of racist attacks are being reported."
Mr Quinn said the Fianna Fail backbencher had made the same comments on November 26th, 1997. "What has he done for the last two years? What has the Government done?" he asked.
"If the Department of Justice after two years cannot get its act together and avoid the shambles described by the Minister of Sta te, Liz O'Donnell, then the best thing Ivor Callely can do is keep his mouth shut and use his position of power as chairman of the Eastern Health Board and get the job done," Mr Quinn told RTE.
Earlier he called on the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, to sort out the confusion that existed between members of the coalition parties. Mr Quinn said he was aware there were people within Fianna Fail who shared Ms O'Donnell's view of the Government's comments on the refugee situation, and who were appalled by Mr Callely's remarks.
"The Taoiseach is not known for taking stands on issues, but if he fails to do so on this issue the real losers will be refugees themselves", Mr Quinn said.