Green Party leader Eamon Ryan has said he “respects” President Michael D Higgins “judgement” to decline an invite to a church service in Armagh marking the centenary of partition and creation of Northern Ireland.
He said President Higgins has made the decision “I’m sure for very good reasons.”
President Higgins took issue with the title of the event and said it made the event inappropriate for him to attend.
The service has been titled as 'marking the centenaries of the partition of Ireland and the foundation of Northern Ireland'.
He told reporters in Rome that he had also been referred to as the President of the Republic of Ireland, when he was the President of Ireland.
President Higgins said he is “not snubbing anyone” in a reference to Queen Elizabeth who will be attending the event next month.
Coalition leader Eamon Ryan told reporters on Friday that President Higgins is “fully entitled to make those judgement calls.”
When asked was President Higgins right to decline the invite, the Green Party leader said: “Oh, I have to respect the President's judgment.
“It's his job to make those calls and he's been an outstanding President for our country.”
Minister Ryan said he doesn’t think anyone in Government would question the President’s decision as he is “fully entitled to make those judgement calls.”
He said: “I respect the Office of the President and the unique position it has in our Constitution, representing the people, protecting our Constitution.
“He has made his decision on this issue and I’m sure for very good reasons.
“And I tend to like that separation of powers... the separation between the presidency and the political system and respect it..
“First and foremost, I think it was a matter for the President, and he's made his decision.
“I think my main response is to say we respect his decision, obviously.”
Minister Ryan said the Government hasn’t considered if they will send a representative to the event.
