Taoiseach defends suspension of visa-free travel but says policy won't last 'forever'

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said Ireland could end up with five times as many refugee applications this year as in 2019 and that suspending visa-free travel was a 'wise move'. File picture

The Taoiseach has said the suspension of visa-free travel was "not something that the Government wants to do" but said there were concerns over how the system has been working in recent months.

Speaking in Japan on Tuesday, Micheál Martin said the Department of Justice had flagged concerns about a surge in international protection applications.