FitzGerald regrets ‘flawed pedigree’ remark but stands by Haughey views

FORMER Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader Garret FitzGerald has said he regrets accusing the late Charles Haughey of having a “flawed pedigree”.

But the regrets hinge upon the words he used rather than the sentiment, for Dr FitzGerald says he still believes Mr Haughey was not fit to be Taoiseach.

The infamous remark, made in a Dáil speech following Mr Haughey’s nomination as Taoiseach in December 1979, was subsequently referred to in almost every major profile of the former Fianna Fáil leader.