DONNYBROOK (IRELAND)
RTE – Raidió Teilifís Éireann
July 4, 2019
By Edel McAllister
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has apologised for his comments to Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin where he likened him to a sinning Catholic priest.
He said: “I offended people who I never intended to offend. I want to apologise for that and withdraw it.
“I have tremendous respect for priests, for the sacrifice that they give in the lives that they lead.
“And I have tremendous respect for people of faith. You know it didn’t come out the way I intended it and sometimes these things happen.”
The Taoiseach has faced strong criticism over his comments in the Dáil yesterday.
Independent TD Mattie McGrath called on the Taoiseach to come into the house and apologise for his comments.
He described them as “outrageous” and “utterly revolting”.
Fianna Fáil TD Mary Butler said the government had committed to a eliminating discrimination on grounds of religion in the programme for government.
“Unfortunately there was no such tolerance or respect shown to the Catholic religion yesterday,” Ms Butler said.
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