Tanaiste says 80pc figure for migrants crossing border 'not based on evidence' after UK PM slaps down returns deal with Ireland

"On the 80pc..it's not statistical, it's not a database or evidence base," Micheál Martin said in London.

Mr Martin made the remarks after the minister last week claimed the number of asylum seekers crossing from Northern Ireland into the State is now "higher than 80pc" following a shift in migration patterns.

Read at Irish Independent