An international report has accused Ireland of failures in relation to a number of human rights issues.

The Amnesty International's annual report says Ireland needs to make progress on issues including access to abortion, poor conditions in direct provision centres and the protection of economic, social and cultural rights.

However, the report also praises the introduction of marriage equality, as well as new legislation on legal gender recognition.

Commenting on the report, Amnesty Executive Director Colm O’Gorman said: "Ireland has once again been criticized (sic) for its restrictive and punitive position on abortion.

The incoming government cannot deny the reality that the eighth amendment is causing serious violations to the human rights of women and girls.

It is further evidence, if any were needed, that a referendum must be one of the next government’s first priorities."

Globally, Amnesty International is warning that governments are deliberately attacking or neglecting bodies that have been set up to help protect our rights.

Amnesty has raised concerns about a lack of funding for The United Nations’ human rights bodies, the International Criminal Court, and regional mechanisms such as the Council of Europe and the Inter American Human Rights system.

The charity is worried these institutions are being undermined by governments attempting to evade oversight of their domestic records and is calling on governments to politically and financially support systems that uphold international law.