Asylum reform to cut ruling waits to 6 months

The treatment of asylum seekers in Direct Provision centres will be compared to the Magdalene laundries in years to come, Equalities Minister Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has said.

Mr Ó Ríordáin, who has set up a working group to look at reforming the system, said he recognised hypocrisy in the relief which greeted US moves to legalise undocumented Irish immigrants there, and the treatment of people seeking to start new lives in Ireland.

He also said he would not be able to live on the €19.10 a week allowance given to adult asylum seekers.