There are more than 18 million refugees in the world, along with eight million people who are internally displaced in their own countries. More than 80 per cent are in developing countries, where they are, on the whole, accepted peacefully. By contrast, those seeking asylum in the richer nations of Europe, North America and Australia face huge obstacles.

In 1992, only 39 people sought asylum in Ireland. By 1998, this had risen to 4,500 and it peaked between 2000 and 2002 when the annual average was 11,000. (Twice as many Irish people left during the peak years.) Numbers have since dropped dramatically, with just 5,000 applications in 2004. There are currently 7,280 asylum seekers living in direct provision centres here. They receive meals and an allowance of €19.10 per week, half that for children.

Asyland is on show at Film Base, Curved Street, Temple Bar, until June 25th. It will be at the entrance to the ILAC Centre library in Dublin from June 27th to July 8th, and in Cork's Central Library for the last week of August and the first two weeks of September. The Irish Refugee Council (IRC), which sponsored the exhibition, also hopes to bring it to the direct provision centres at Mosney and Knocknalisheen where some of the photographs were taken.

"We're interested in hearing from anyone who is interested in showing it elsewhere around the country," says Pat Guerin of the IRC. "People who don't know refugees tend to be those who have most prejudices against them. Looking at the photographs isn't the same as knowing someone, but it is a start." He can be contacted at: IRC 01-8730042.