The Ceann Comhairle has defended moves to increase the security measures around Leinster House.

The new restrictions will include a separate high-security entrance for visitors, with new limits on the number of guests each TD and Senator can allow.

It follows an incident where Fine Gael TD Catherine Byrne claimed she had been verbally abused by a member of the public while on the grounds of Leinster House.

In a statement this evening the Ceann Comhairle Sean Barrett said he had received a written complaint about the incident, which he was obliged to bring to the Dáil's disciplinary committee.

That committee met last night and agreed unanimously to the new measures.

The new measures will include a scanning system for all visitors, increased lighting and a limit of five visitors per member.

It is believed the Committee on Procedure and Privileges met with gardaí and the captain of the guard at Leinster House to discuss the proposals.