The Environment Minister Alan Kelly says Michael Lowry's controversial note to the Taoiseach Enda Lenny contained a "silly and stupid" comment, but would not go so far as to call it sexist.
Mr Lowry described Valerie O'Reilly - a nominee for a board position - as
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Alan Kelly says Mr Lowry's comments were wrong.
Mr Kelly said: "It's a silly comment and he should just hold his hands up and admit it was just a silly comment instead of trying to blame the Labour Party.
"The Labour Party didn't write the note, I don’t think the Labour Party had anything to do with it."
The Minister was then asked if he thought it was sexist, and he replied: "Well, look it was a stupid and silly comment, to be honest, I think it shouldn't have been made.
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"I think maybe it showed that deputy Lowry was used to working in a different generation."