A motion calling on the Eastern Health Board to express regret at the tone and implication of recent comments made by its chairman, Mr Ivor Callely TD, in relation to asylum-seekers was defeated at a meeting of the board this week.
The Labour TD Ms Roisin Shortall and a Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown councillor, Ms Jane Dillon-Byrne, called on the health authority to dissociate itself from the remarks, claiming they fuelled racism.
The remarks made last month by the board's chairman which caused concern was his call on the Government to "get tough" on asylum-seekers and to "throw out" illegal immigrants. He said many were coming into the State to "cash in" on the benefits available.
There was a lengthy debate on Ms Shortall's motion, and she came in for severe criticism for trying to score political points.
"These were ill-thought-out and inflammatory comments. They sought to scapegoat refugees themselves rather than put the blame at the door of the Minister for not putting in place proper procedures for dealing with applications for asylum," she said.
"I felt the chairman's comments served to fuel feelings of racism in Dublin at the moment and they were irresponsible." Several members said they were satisfied with the chairman's clarification of his comments within hours of making them.