Junior Minister Kevin 'Boxer' Moran says he's still completely against plans to house 1,000 asylum-seekers in Athlone.
The Longford-Westmeath TD has also denied he's a hypocrite.
Boxer was originally part of the group of local councillors who took legal action against the state over the issue, before last November's general election.
He pulled out of the case after he became a junior minister.
Those still involved in the case have slammed him for backing the government on the issue.
But Boxer says, when he became a minister, he was legally required to pulled out of the case.
But he says his commitment to the community on the issue hasn't changed.
He says dropping 1,000 people into tents in a field isn't a policy - it's panic dressed up as planning.
