Racist and xenophobic comments were of concern and on the increase but "not alarmingly so", according to the Taoiseach.

Mr Ahern told Fine Gael's health spokesman, Mr Gay Mitchell, that "research shows that it is not a major issue but I am aware of an increasing number of cases".

During Taoiseach's questions, Mr Mitchell said there was a need for a minister of state to co-ordinate immigrant affairs in education and housing, social welfare, asylum-seeking, anti-racism and xenophobia.

He said "there is a great deal of racist and xenophobic comment being allowed to go unchallenged".