State owes apology to asylum seekers: O’Reilly

Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly claimed Taoiseach Enda Kenny may one day have to issue an apology to asylum seekers along the lines of the one he offered to survivors of Magdalene laundries.

Ms O’Reilly, who last week secured the role of European ombudsman, said there were real fears for the safety of children living in direct provision (DP) centres and warned conditions were not suitable.

Many families, she said, typically stay at least three years in the system despite previous pledges to cut the time people spend in DP.