More than 230,000 animals were used for experimentation in Irish laboratories in 2012 — more than six times the number used in 2005.

A Government pledge to check that cosmetics being sold in Ireland comply with an international animal testing ban has been welcomed by animal rights groups.

Almost 265,000 animals were used for experiments in Irish research laboratories in 2011, one of the highest figures on record.

Animal rights campaigners have expressed fury that the Government has ignored calls for a ban on the killing of newborn animals by “concussion or blow to the head”.

A new EU directive banning experiments that inflict severe pain on animals has been transposed into Irish law.