EU centre praises Irish system for recording racist incidents

The European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia has praised Ireland's system of recording racist incidents and crimes.

However, in its latest annual report, the body also expresses concern about a rise in anti-immigrant comments from politicians and the media in the wake of last year's Irish Ferries dispute.

The centre says racist attacks in Ireland increased by 21% between 2000 and 2005.

Only three of the 11 EU countries included in the report recorded a fall in racist attacks last year.