Allianz, the insurance and asset management company, had been criticised by LGBT campaigners for helping to sponsor the upcoming World Meeting of Families of the Catholic Church even though it also supports LGBT events in many parts of the world.

Justin McAleese, son of former president Mary McAleese and Dr Martin McAleese, contacted Allianz at its headquarters in Munich and inquired how it was compatible for them to be supportive of LGBT people internationally and be headline sponsors of the WMoF in Dublin which, ha claimed, had denied LGBT Catholics a stall at the RDS where WMoF events were being held.

In a statement last night, the company said Allianz in Ireland was the official general insurer to the WMoF and had made a donation to it but was not the headline sponsor of the event.

An Allianz spokeswoman said: “We strongly promote a diverse and open society and corporate culture and respect different cultures and religions,” she said. “With donations, we generally aim to support local communities around the globe and follow our corporate citizenship strategy. Nonetheless, we do not take responsibility for single decisions, actions or opinions of all members of the supported organisations and corporates.”

In relation to Dublin Pride last June, Allianz tweeted: “Happy #Pride to all our wonderful @Allianz_Care LGBTQ staff and everyone celebrating @DublinPride week.” Last month the company lit up Munich’s Allianz Arena – home of Bayern Munich – in rainbow colours to celebrate Pride and has marked Pride events in the UK, Australia and elsewhere internationally.