The Kerry independent politician Danny Healy Rae has apologised for comments he made yesterday.
In comments that went viral, Mr Healy Rae yesterday told Virgin Media News: "To hell with the planet and the fella that says we must save the planet and forget about the people!
"I'm not one of those people. I make no apologies to anyone, anywhere for that."
"To hell with the planet and the fellas that say we must save the planet and forget about the people! I'm not one of those people. I make no apologies to anyone, anywhere for that"
Danny Healy Rae speaks to @ZaraKing, as he looks set to win a seat in #Kerry in #GE2020 #VMNews pic.twitter.com/31S56nNRpg— Virgin Media News (@VirginMediaNews) February 9, 2020
The remarks also led to a brief conflict between himself and Green Party candidate Cleo Murphy.
Mr Healy Rae - who is expected to be re-elected at some stage today - apologised for the comments at the Killarney count centre this afternoon.
"I haven't slept for three weeks," Danny Healy-Rae apologises for saying "to hell with the planet" #GE2020 #Kerry pic.twitter.com/7W1y5mXDOk
— NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) February 10, 2020
He said: "Obviously we have to care about the planet - but we have to care about our people as well, and be fair to the people.
"I trust that that clarifies the situation. I haven't slept for three weeks - or any of our supporters - from being anxious, and [the count is] not finalised yet.
"I apologise again to everyone or anyone I offended. I said it out of context - we have to care for our planet, but we have to be fair for our people in it as well."
