Afghan hunger strikers in St Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin say they will give up their protest if an international body is allowed to review their asylum claim.
They say they have received no response from the Department of Justice but its thought unlikely that the Government would consent to such a move.
Today, Church of Ireland bishops added their voice to calls for the men to end their fast.
In a statement read to the men this afternoon, the Archbishops of Dublin and Armagh and the Dean of St Patrick's said they are deeply moved by the plight of the group but asked the men to end their protest before matters deteriorate further.
St Patrick's Cathedral will remain closed until the protest ends.
Earlier, one of the men on hunger strike was removed to hospital.
It is understood that he was suffering from dehydration.
Forty-one men started a hunger and thirst strike at the weekend but most agreed to take water on Tuesday following talks with officials from the Department of Justice.
A small number have continued to refuse water. Three protestors were taken to hospital yesterday. Two were later released.
Meanwhile, the Health Service Executive has said it is monitoring the medical condition of the protestors who are now in the fifth day of their hunger strike.
Last night the Minister for Justice, Michael McDowell, told the Dáil the Government could not be expected to be swayed by such tactics.
Yesterday evening, a representative from the UN's High Commission for Refugees urged the group to abandon their protest but to no avail.
Manuel Jordao said Ireland had a fair asylum system.
