A controversial Immigration Bill was passed tonight in the Dáil despite widespread criticism from opposition parties and human rights groups.
The Bill was rushed through the Dáil after two days of debate with the Government motion supported by 63 votes to 53.
The proposed law, which had been branded Nazi-like and draconian, was amended after campaigners objected to a section they claimed would allow the State to discriminate against people with disabilities.
The amended Bill was rushed through the Dáil tonight after a recent High Court ruling found ministerial orders governing how gardaí and immigration officials dealt with non-nationals were unconstitutional because they were not made under primary legislation.
The first draft had allowed immigration officers to refuse entry to people suffering from a mental disorder.
This was later amended to a definition of those suffering from "profound mental disturbance" showing signs of psychotic disturbance with agitation, delirium, hallucinations or confusion.
Opposition parties and disabled rights' groups said the amendments did not go far enough but Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell, said the Bill had to be rushed through after existing regulations were ruled unconstitutional.
He said the Bill was a very straightforward matter of transferring the contents of the existing Aliens Order into primary legislation.
"It's not a draconian or a punitive piece of legislation as has been suggested," he said.
"It has not been a Nazi regime in Ireland in relation to immigration and we have not had laws that have ground down people or been used arbitrarily."