Minister sorry for racist 'kebab' remark

Junior Minister Conor Lenihan has been forced to apologise publicly after making a racist remark in the Dáil about Turkish migrant workers.

The Fianna Fáil TD was caught on microphone saying that Socialist Party TD Joe Higgins should "stick to the kebabs", a reference to his campaign on behalf of Gama Construction workers.

After hearing the remarks, Mr Higgins told the Dáil: “Taoiseach, the snide comment from behind you that I should stick with the kebabs, referring to my fight against exploitation of GAMA workers ill behoves the Minister for Overseas Development.”

Realising his comments had been caught, Deputy Lenihan later returned to the Dáil to withdraw the remarks and apologised for any offence caused.