Varadkar defends controversial 'slow learners' comments amid backlash

Leo Varadkar said he was "happy to clarify" that his remarks were not in reference to disability in any way. Picture: Niall Carson/PA Wire

The Taoiseach has defended controversial remarks in which he used the term "slow learners" to describe Sinn Féin's approach to policy.

Leo Varadkar has declined to apologise and instead sought to clarify the use of the term in an interview with the Irish Examiner after the Dáil was told that his comments had reduced one mother of a severely disabled girl to tears.