Taoiseach urges Independent TD Noel Grealish 'to clarify' remarks about immigrants

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has urged Rural Independent TD Noel Grealish to "withdraw" and clarify his claims African asylum seekers are in reality economic migrants coming to Ireland to "sponge" off taxpayers amid growing calls for him to resign.

Mr Varadkar said Mr Grealish - who supports the Government on a case-by-case basis from the opposition benches - needed to "make a statement" on what he said in response to ongoing public criticism of his comments.