Ireland has the highest rate of hate crime against people of African descent and transgender people in the EU.

A new report also criticises the fact that hate crime is not recognised in Irish law.

The Irish Council for Civil Liberties is calling for the urgent introduction of regulations in this area.

"This is an Irish report but it's part of a wider European project which analyses how hate crime is reported and recorded across Europe," said the council's executive director, Liam Herrick.

"What we find in the Irish study is that hate crime, which is not defined in Irish law, is not recorded or reported in a systematic fashion.

We really have an underdeveloped response to what is a serious problem in society.

Minister for Justice, Charlie Flanagan welcomed the report.

"Hate motivation for crime results in vulnerable groups and individuals being targeted simply for who they are. That is not acceptable to me or the Government, and I know that it is not acceptable to the Irish people.

"This report on hate crime is a hugely important piece of research, and makes a series of recommendations on how our criminal justice system can do better in combatting hatred.

"I am making arrangements for this report and its recommendations to be urgently examined by my Department, in consultation with all of the relevant agencies, including of course the Irish Council for Civil Liberties, with the aim of bringing forward proposals to address the findings of the report."

Digital Desk