Independent TD Noel Grealish has been accused of "racism" for asking if the Government is satisfied billions of euro being sent abroad from the Republic of Ireland are not the proceeds of crime.
Mr Grealish said 10 billion euro has been sent abroad from the country over the past eight years.
The Galway West representative told the Dail the money has been sent to countries such as Poland, Nigeria and France.
Mr Grealish asked if Revenue or the Department of Finance had a way to track where the money is coming from.
"Over ten billion euro has left this country by way of personal transfers. This is a staggering amount of money," he said.
Mr Grealish said 3.54 billion euro was sent to Nigeria from the Republic of Ireland, according to World Bank figures.
He added: "I know a lot of it is genuine money but I want to ensure proper controls are in place for money being sent out of the country.
"I'm asking you, Taoiseach, what controls are in place to ensure if tax is being properly paid on it?" he said.
In September, Mr Grealish made controversial comments about African migrants coming to seek asylum in the Republic of Ireland.
In audio from the public meeting, Mr Grealish can be heard telling hundreds of people that African migrants arriving into Ireland were "economic migrants" who "sponge" off the system.
Mr Grealish has not apologised or made any public statement on the comments he made in September regarding African migrants.
He asked if the Government is satisfied that the high level of remittances sent to Nigeria from Ireland has been taxed property or whether some may be the proceeds of crime.
There was an angry reaction in the Dail following Mr Grealish's remarks, with boos and heckling heard.
Solidarity People Before Profit TD Ruth Coppinger said the question was an example of racism.
In response, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he would treat Mr Grealish's question as "a genuine one".
He added: "If you have any evidence whatsoever that anyone is sending money abroad that is not theirs to pass it on, we will have it looked into.
"We will get a detailed response on what controls are in place but I am pretty confident there are already strong rules around money laundering."
