Ukraine

State officials to contact President asking if Áras could house refugees

‘We’re very conscious of the social conscience that President Higgins is renowned for’, says Patrick O’Donovan, minister of state for the Office of Public Works

President of Ireland Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina Coyne: the President is renowned for his social conscience. Picture: AFP via Getty

Patrick O’Donovan, the minister of state for the Office of Public Works, has asked his officials to write to President Michael D Higgins about housing refugees in Áras an Uachtaráin.

There are 92 rooms in Áras an Uachtaráin in the Phoenix Park, which includes office rooms, state rooms, a visitor’s museum, the President’s own accommodation and toilets.

There are about five spare bedrooms, which are used occasionally by visiting guests and members of the President’s ...