Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

An invitation is normally extended by the President, with the Government's agreement and the two governments involved would usually decide when a visit should take place. I do not recall either an incoming or outgoing visit ever being rejected. There may be occasions, such as an election, when it would not be appropriate for the President to conduct a visit to a state but generally invitations, whether to come to Ireland or go to another state, are acceded to.

See this speech in context