Aine Ni Chonail: Wants Ireland for the Irish

She said she was not against people fleeing war or famine coming to Ireland but that the numbers should be controlled.

"Irish people have no wish to emulate the British experience, the German, the French experience - those countries never intended to go as far as they did.

"They are stuck with it and they have to pretend it's wonderful because that's what you do when you have failed to control you're borders.

'Sinister message'

"Governments feel they have no option but to say this is enriching - decoded, that means: 'Sorry, we weren't able to keep them out'."

Roisin Boyd is a journalist and broadcaster who specialises in race relations issues.

She has been looking at Aine Ni Chonaill's election literature and describes its message as sinister.

One leaflet urges people to go into their town centre, have a look around and asks: "Is this what you want for the future? This was forced on us in less than four years and this is just the start."

In recent weeks, the National Consultative Committee on Racism and Inter-culturalism has received reports of pregnant black women being jeered at in the streets and Sikhs being attacked because people think their turbans mean they are aligned to the Taliban.

Kensika Monshengo is originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo. He now works as a training and resource officer with NCCRI.

He says Irish people are going to have to learn to live with diversity and draws a parallel between the European Union experience and that of an ethnic minority living in a sovereign state.

"As a German, the European Union doesn't ask you to forget your German origin to become European.

Anti-racism protocol

"At a national level it should be the same. You can be an Indian or African and have your own culture within a country, so long as you obey the law of the land.

"The way you look shouldn't be a problem."

All of the main political parties have signed an anti-racism protocol but Aine Ni Chonaill has declined.

She says Irish citizens have a democratic right to debate the demographic future of their country.

The Fianna Fail leader, Bertie Ahern, has reportedly taken one of his TDs (members of parliament) aside to talk to him about his views .

Noel O'Flynn: In trouble after "spongers" remarks

Noel O'Flynn, who represents Cork North Central in the Irish Parliament, said immigrants who enter Ireland illegally were "spongers and free loaders".

He was called to account in the Dail by fellow TDs, but Mr O'Flynn stuck to his line and said he was only representing the views of his constituents.

So far in this election campaign the debate has been about the health service and the economy, but race is likely to become a bigger issue in future.

In 1997, the number of asylum applicants stood at less than 4,000. Over the past few years, the annual total has been about three times that figure.

Whatever the outcome of the general election and whatever number of votes Aine Ni Chonaill attracts, the next government will have to grapple with the transition to a multi-racial society.