The UN has called on the government to explain what further investigations it intends to carry out into the Magdalene Laundries, industrial schools and mother and baby homes.

A delegation has appeared before the UN Committee Against Torture to face questions on the progress it's made since 2011.

Minister of State David Stanton led the 20 strong delegation.

The committee had several questions on human rights issues including why there's been a lack of progress on investigations on abuse in industrial schools in the wake of the Ryan Report.

The committee focused on mother and baby homes and was critical of the state's stance that it has no basis for believing that serious harm was perpetrated in the Magdalene laundries

It also examined the prison system, including the lack of mental health services and sought an update on our abortion laws.

The delegation will deal with the questions in a session tomorrow afternoon.

Nicole Gernon reports: