Cork TD Michael Collins has been condemned for his comments on immigrants, just days after Galway TD Noel Grealish accused African immigrants of "sponging off the system".
Cork South West TD Collins spoke in defence of Mr Grealish, telling Cork's C103 Radio: "Sometimes in the heat of the moment, you might say something that you maybe look back on maybe you shouldn't have said."
Deputy Collins then went on to give his own views on immigration, saying: "How are we talking about bringing so many thousand people maybe into this country when we haven't looked after our own people?"
"Why are our own people hungry in the street? Look after our own people first and then when that issue is sorted, let's start looking at people from across the world."
Deputy Collins went on to deny that his views were racist and claimed: "We're losing our culture, here".
"I don't say that we should lock the doors - I'm just saying we don't bring in. The heavy influx of people into local and rural communities.
Mr Collins views were heavily criticised by Labour leader Brendan Howlin, who labelled them "highly dangerous".
Noel Grealish TD has already come under heavy pressure to withdraw his comments, made during a public meeting on a possible direct provision centre for Oughterard, Co Galway.
Both independent TDs are expected to come under pressure from the main political parties to withdraw their remarks.
Deputy Noel Grealish has refused to comment publicly on his views since the meeting in Oughterard.
