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THE SINN FÉIN leader Gerry Adams made a visit to the Mosney direct provision centre today, but was surprised to learn that he was not allowed tweet during the visit.

Adams was joined by Meath Sinn Féin councillor Emer Ferguson and Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh, tweeting that the Department of Justice had requested he refrain from tweeting while in the former holiday camp.

The Department told TheJournal.ie that the request was made to prevent the identity of residents being revealed.

“The request made to visit this centre was acceded to on the same standard conditions as would apply to all such visits. These visits afford an opportunity to allow elected representatives meet asylum seekers in circumstances where the identities of the latter are not revealed – which is a legal requirement under the 1996 Refugee Act.

These visits are not media events. Hence the standard conditions – including those shown in the tweet – which it should be noted were agreed in writing prior to the visit.

Under Section 19 of the Refugee Act 1996:

“The Commissioner, the Appeal Board, the Minister, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and their respective officers shall take all practicable steps to ensure that the identity of applicants is kept confidential.”

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