Ireland needs to take more refugees as part of a combined European response to the refugee crisis, Peter Sutherland, the United Nations Special Representative for International Migration, has said.

Sutherland told Newstalk Lunchtime that there is a need for “a united position in Europe” on the current crisis, and it is not acceptable to allow certain countries – such as Germany, Greece and Italy – to shoulder the burden of the mass wave of immigration coming from war torn nations such as Syria and Eritrea.

“The only way of dealing with it is by a united European response and not by some countries accepting responsibility and others denying it,” he said.

Ireland must do more, he added, saying that the current figure – 600 refugees, compared to some 800,000 set to arrive in Germany this year – is not enough.

“Ireland could and should take more” he said.

Listen: Peter Sutherland tells Newstalk Lunchtime Ireland must do more for refugee crisis

“Ireland has a different position to those who have opted out and are staying out. It is making an effort, I think obviously that that effort can b e increased and should be increased. We’re talking about huge numbers here. We’re talking about the German taking applications for 800,000 asylum by the end of the year.

“Ireland is not in a position of being a rejecter of common responsibility – we have helped also in the Mediterranean ... but I think Ireland could and should take more,” he added.

“I wouldn’t be willing to put a figure on (how many Ireland should take) because I think the Commission is right in saying that this should be worked out objectively,” he said.

“A formula should be adopted which allows for reasonable sharing, ad that means we have to look at the exemplars – Sweden and Germany are in my view the best examples of what should be done in Europe.”

Beyond the need for individual countries to do more, Mr Sutherland said he worried about the public discourse on the humanitarian disaster.

One common call of those opposed to allowing asylum seekers enter Europe has been that many of those are economic migrants, as opposed to refugees.

“It is important to draw a distinction between migrants and refugees. Refugees are people who are escaping from persecution,” Mr Sutherland said.

“The vast majority of those who are on your television screen in the evening are refugees ... and they are entitled to sanctuary.”

“In some parts of Europe this has become a discussion about fences, about walls, about keeping people out – rather than talking about the people themselves. The concern here has to be the people themselves and people who are entirely legitimately looking for sanctuary.”