It comes after he referred to people arriving from “the Congo” and “the next generation of Muslims” during a doorstep conversation while canvassing in Dublin Central
Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern says his comments on immigration were “not careful or polished” - but he stands over them.
The discussion was secretly recorded.
Speaking on the Indo Daily Podcast, Mr Ahern says immigration is being discussed across the country, and warns people should not automatically be labelled racist for raising concerns.
He referenced the "challenges that come from rapid population growth" and the importance of the issues being discussed "honestly and respectably without being labelled or misunderstood".
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