The Minister for the Environment has branded Micheál Martin's accusations of 'gerrymandering' as "political cronyism at its worst" from "the most corrupt party in the history of the state".

Minsiter Phil Hogan is reiterating calls for the Fianna Fail leader to withdraw the remarks he made over the weekend on the report by the Independent Committee into the review of Local Electoral Areas.

At his party's Ard Fheis, Micheál Martin accused Phil Hogan of "gerrymandering" by deliberately manipulating new council election boundaries.

Fianna Fáil is standing by claims and is refusing to apologise for claims that Phil Hogan's review was designed to benefit Fine Gael and Labour councillor's.

In a statement issued today, Minister Hogan said:

“Deputy Martin’s timing is impeccable. He chooses to attempt to discredit the report now even though it was published more than nine months ago. There hasn’t been a peep out of him since and now as we approach the local elections he makes this outrageous comment. This is political cronyism at its worst and Deputy Martin should hang his head in shame. It smacks of desperation in advance of the local elections.

“I find it particularly ironic that I should be accused of ‘Gerrymandering’ by the leader of the most corrupt party in the history of the state. Deputy Martin should withdraw his comments and apologise to the Independent Committee who gave freely of their time in preparing the report. I am well used to political footballs but this one is nasty and it is a slur on the integrity of the members of the Committee. This is what gets politics a bad name.

“I am calling on Deputy Martin to withdraw his outrageous comment. I’m sure with his and his party’s new found interest in honesty and integrity he will realise that is the right thing to do," Minister Hogan said.