State failing obligation to meet basic needs of asylum seekers, court told

High Court has begun hearing the IRHEC’s action challenging the lack of 'material reception conditions' for many adult male international protection applicants

Tents belonging to asylum seekers along the banks of the Grand Canal in Dublin. Picture: Sasko Lazarov

It is "absolutely clear" that the State has failed to meet its international obligations to meet the basic needs of asylum seekers, a human rights body has argued in the High Court.

Lawyers for the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) submitted that the court should grant orders requiring the Government to bring "to an end" the current situation of leaving asylum seekers homeless.