Inspections watchdog Hiqa has expressed serious concerns about children living in the direct provision system, with an inspection report showing they are at risk of physical and mental abuse.

A survey of 1,000 students and academic staff has found that more than half believe Ireland should be "more accommodating" to asylum seekers.

The latest report by government-appointed Child Law Rapporteur has called for a complete overhaul of the Child Care Act, querying whether the current provisions are fit for purpose.

More than two thirds of asylum seekers living in direct provision centres have been there for at least three years, according to a report by the state’s Reception and Integration Agency (RIA).

Migrant rights groups welcomed news that asylum seekers will be allowed to receive election literature, even though direct provision centres are still no-go zones for candidates.

Migrant rights groups today welcomed news that asylum seekers will be allowed to receive election literature - even though direct provision centres are still no-go zones for candidates.

The Government has failed to get to grips with a broken asylum seeker system while the general public “could not care less”, a leading academic claimed yesterday.

US President George Bush said today he was troubled by the political storm that forced the reversal of a deal allowing a company in Dubai to take over take over operations of six American ports, saying it sent a bad message to US allies in the Middle East.

Dubai Ports World today finalised its £4bn purchase of P&O while bowing to US political pressure by agreeing to end its quest to take over operations at US ports.