No reason to prevent President visiting anywhere in Ireland - Kenny

There would be no reason to prevent President Michael D Higgins visiting any place on the island, Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said.

He was replying in the Dáil today to Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams who said that the President had been stopped from visiting an accommodation centre for asylum seekers.

Mr Adams said the Government should provide time for Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald to come into the Dáil and explain why the President was barred from visiting the centre.

Ceann Comhairle Sean Barrett said Mr Adams was raising the issue on the Order of Business where only questions on promised legislation could be asked.

He added the matter could be raised in the House in numerous other ways.

"I am not sure that you have the detail of that right, Deputy Adams,'' Mr Kenny said.

Athlone Community Radio had issued an invitation to Mr Higgins to be interviewed last Thursday by asylum seekers at a direct provision centre on the outskirts of Athlone.

While the President’s office is understood to have responded positively to the request, the Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) – a Department of Justice agency responsible for the direct provision system – said it was unable to authorise the event.