Ireland's system for processing asylum applications, and providing accommodation centres for applicants, has been heavily criticised by several humanitarian organisations. Some say the direct provision system should be shut down due to human rights concerns. Others point to growing worries about immigration at the time it was set up, and the potential impact on local communities of significant numbers of immigrants. Why was direct provision put in place, and what has happened the asylum process since then? Brian O'Connell and Ciara Ní Bhroin explain.