The Sinn Fein president, Mr Gerry Adams, has called on party leaders in the Republic to make a joint declaration against racism.
Describing the Government's asylum policy as "at best a fire brigade response and, at its worst, one based on intolerance and bigotry", Mr Adams said: "It is up to political leaders to make it clear that they will not play party politics with the race issue and that they will not tolerate racism in any form in their party."
He said: "Not only has the Government failed to address the needs and rights of refugees and asylum-seekers, it has also ignored the needs and rights of urban and rural communities."
Communities had a right to be consulted, but they "also have obligations and responsibilities as human beings."
