Taoiseach Simon Harris has thanked all those involved in this morning's "humanitarian operation" on Dublin's Mount Street.

Earlier today a multi-agency operation saw around 200 asylum seekers and their tents removed from outside the International Protection Office.

Residents and local businesses were among those raising concerns about the issue which has been highlighted for some time.

It has also been thrown into the spotlight by international media coverage from the likes of the BBC, ITV and The Telegraph.

A worker cleans the path with a pressure washer after tents were removed from outside the International Protection Office on Dublin's Mount Street, 1-5-24. Image: Sasko Lazarov / © RollingNews.ie

The Department of Integration confirmed the joint operation involving its Department, the Department of Justice, An Garda Síochána, Dublin City Council, the Office of Public Works (OPW) and the Health Service Executive (HSE).

Those in the tents are being moved to to International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS)-designated accommodation.

The Department of Integration said the IPAS-designated accommodation has toilets and showers, health services, indoor areas where food is provided, facilities to charge phones - as well as access to transport to and from Dublin city centre and 24-hour onsite security.

People board a bus on Dublin's Mount Street after tents were removed from outside the International Protection Office, 1-5-24. Image: Sasko Lazarov / © RollingNews.ie

Taoiseach Simon Harris has thanked all those involved.

"I want to thank the multiple state agencies involved in this morning's humanitarian operation on Mount Street in Dublin," he said.

"The situation had become completely unacceptable.

"The international protection applicants have been taken to safe shelter with appropriate sanitary facilities, hot food, a clean place to eat, access to medical help and a bus link to Dublin city centre.

"The laws of our land must always be upheld and we cannot have unsafe and illegal encampments in our cities or towns," he added.

They have now been moved to Citywest and to Crooksling tented accommodation in Co Dublin.

A volunteer group had previously labelled the situation on Mount Street a 'humanitarian emergency'.

Main image: Tents being removed from outside the International Protection Office on Mount Street in Dublin,1-5-24. Image: Sasko Lazarov / © RollingNews.ie