The Taoiseach says there's been an absence of moral leadership in the United States following the killing of George Floyd.
Speaking in the Dail, Leo Varadkar said the "world has watched in horror" following the death of the unarmed black man in Minneapolis.
He said, "It has prompted a palpable outpouring of emotion, and spontaneous expressions of solidarity against the poison of racism."
"We've also seen genuine revulsion at the heavy-handed response in some instances towards peaceful protesters and journalists.
His comments come following a ninth consecutive night of protests over Goerge Floyd's death.
The Taoiseach described racism as a "virus" that's often unrecognized to those who it infects.
However, he said it's not just a problem in the United States, saying "We have many examples in our own country - discrimination on the basis of skin colour is pernicious.
"Sometimes it's overt - discrimination when it comes to getting a job or promotion, or being treated less favourably by public authorities, including sometimes government officials.
He's also outlined his own experience of racism saying this could range from being asked where do you come from originally because your skin or surname looks out of place to questions such as how often you go back to the country that your mother or father was born in.
