The Taoiseach said it was "entirely wrong" that asylum seekers had to queue for up to four hours in the rain at the weekend to renew identity cards. Mr Ahern was responding to complaints in the Dail by the Fine Gael leader, Mr John Bruton, and the Labour Party leader, Mr Dick Spring.

Later the Minister of State for Justice, Ms Mary Wallace, said it was "most unfortunate" that those concerned suffered distress.

She told Mr Pat Upton (Lab, Dublin South Central) that "lessons have been learnt and a better procedure will be in place" when the next re-issuing of identification cards takes place.

Ms Wallace pointed out that on Saturday only 1,450 people turned up and not 2,000. In all 1,750 people were issued with cards in the past 10 days.