Former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar says he ‘went too far’ and has apologised for his urban versus rural Ireland comments.
He has faced intense backlash over the comments made on a podcast last week in response to nationwide protests over fuel costs by tractor and lorry drivers.
His Fine Gael party leader Simon Harris distanced himself from the comments.
The Finance Minister said he did not believe in dividing people based on what jobs they do or where they live, and he would prefer the country to pull together at times of challenge.
Leo Varadkar, who stood down as Taoiseach two years ago, told the Irish Independent today that he genuinely did not mean to annoy anyone.
He added that his original comments had been over the top.
As late as yesterday Mr Varadkar said he was standing over his claim that rural Ireland is subsidised by the urban economy, but his comments today will be seen as a significant climb down.
