The Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) has defended Verona Murphy, insisting she's someone who "strives to avoid division".
The Fine Gael candidate in Wexford has stood aside as president of the organisation for the duration of the by-election campaign.
The past week has seen the businesswoman come under fire for comments she made about asylum seekers.
She has apologised twice for the comments, but has faced continuing criticism in recent days.
Separately, the IRHA today said it has asked Ms Murphy not to comment on allegations about a settlement they had concluded with a former employee of the the association.
It comes after the Irish Independent reported the settlement followed a Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) finding that the staff member was penalised for raising concerns of alleged bullying by Ms Murphy and others.
The IRHA said the settlement "contained a strict confidentiality clause which the IRHA must respect".
'Person of integrity'
In their statement today, the management committee of the IRHA also said they wish to express 'solidarity and support' for Ms Murphy amid the ongoing criticism of her recent comments.
They insist she has been 'extraordinarily dedicated' to her role in the association over the past four years.
They said: "She has devoted time and energy way above anything that could be expected of a voluntary position.
"At all times, she has shown compassion and concern for the problems encountered by every member who has sought her counsel and assistance."
The statement adds: "The descriptions or terms being applied to Verona by some commentators do not represent or reflect the person that she is, the person that we know.
"Verona is person of integrity, a person who is warm, generous, kind and strives to be a force for good.
"She is someone who strives to avoid division and seeks to bring people together.
"A person who, like everyone, is fallible, but knows when to put her hand up and acknowledge that she has made a mistake."
