Minister for Foreign Affairs, Charlie Flanagan, says he shares “the concerns of other EU partners” at ban introduced by president Donald Trump barring entry to people from seven mainly Muslim countries.

Mr Trump, on Friday placed a 90-day block on entry to the US by people from Iran, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Sudan, Libya and Somalia on Friday, saying the move would help protect Americans from terrorist attacks.

The US embassy in Dublin confirmed on Saturday it was implementing the ban at its immigration pre clearance facilities at Dublin and Shannon airports.

The embassy said scheduled visa interviews with people from the listed countries would not now go ahead.

Citizens of countries in the Visa Waiver Program, including Ireland, will continue to be able to travel to the United States for up to 90 days of business or tourism without a visa, it added.

On Sunday Mr Flanagan said while US immigration was a matter for the US authorities, it was clear “the most recent decisions could have far-reaching implications, both on humanitarian grounds and on relations between the US and the global Muslim community”.

“Many people are feeling great concern about these changes, including some Irish citizens in the United States. Our embassy in Washington and consulates remain in active and ongoing contact with Irish immigration centres throughout the US.

“I am conscious that matters are still evolving and that the US courts are now involved. We will continue to monitor developments in this area very closely.”

Mr Flanagan he had been in contact with Taoiseach Enda Kenny about the situation.

“I will be in Washington DC for political meetings on Capitol Hill where immigration issues will be among those discussed.”

Minister for Health Simon Harris also criticised the US president’s ban. When asked on social media whether he supported Mr Trump’s order, Mr Harris responded: “I agree with all those who find this to be deeply troubling, upsetting, unjust and discriminatory.”

Meanwhile, the Green Party called on the Taoiseach to postpone his visit to the White House for St Patrick’s Day in light of the recent events.

The party’s leader Eamon Ryan said the banning of refugees, the support for torture and the bullying of the Mexican government is simply intolerable.

Mr Ryan said: “We respect the US political system and value our historic connections but we cannot in all honesty hand over that bowl of Shamrock in these circumstances.”

“It is time for our Taoiseach to represent our country and what we stand for in the world. We should do so in a civil and diplomatic manner but proceeding as if everything is normal is not an option.”

A “Not in my name” petitionobjecting to Mr Kenny’s visit to the White House for St Patrick’s Day had over 10,000 signatures on Sunday afternoon.

Rejecting Mr Ryan’s demand, Minister for Social Protection Leo Varadkar said Ireland was one of 190 countries in the world and one of the few with an annual meeting in the White House.

“It is important we have that meeting and engage with the administration,’’ he added.

Speaking on RTE’s The Week in Politics, he said the meeting could not be just about “smiles and shamrocks’’.

Ireland, he said, would have to engage with the new administration based on common interest but also standing over its European values, which stood up for liberal democracy, equality before the law and globalism.

“And that means it may not be the kind of meeting that has happened in previous years,’’ he added.