Junior Minister: I can't defend Direct Provision system

The Junior Justice Minister says he hopes to start making changes to the asylum seeker process by next Easter.

A new working group has been established by the Government to make recommendations on improving the system.

It has been tasked with proposing measures aimed at respecting the dignity and improving the quality of applicants.

Minister Aodhan O'Riordain, who has been critical of the direct provision process, says he wants to make the system more humane.

He said: "I have never pretended to stand over this system, I have never wanted to defend it, I don't defend it, I can't defend it.

"Hopefully at the end of this, working groups' deliberations will recommend a system that can work better, which is better for society, better for the asylum-seeking population in Ireland and reflects better on us as a country."