A Fine Gael senator is defending the Taoiseach's comments that Ireland should be "fair, firm and hard" on migration.
Leo Varadkar has come in for some criticism from campaigners, after making the remarks in Brussels earlier this week.
Ailbhe Smyth from the anti-racism Le Chéile alliance described the comments as "unhelpful" and an indication of "a hardening of attitudes".
However, Senator Regina Doherty says Ireland will continue to help asylum seekers - but must also be mindful that our current system is open to abuse:
"We are absolutely we have, not only a human obligation, but an international legal obligation to look after people fleeing persecution or war. But we do have to acknowledge and address that there are some frailties in our system. There are, you know, some indications that people are coming here because they're being told that it's easier to get asylum here than it is... or it's easier to get work here or it's easier to get accommodation here".