DUBLIN: The Irish minister for human rights apologized in the Irish parliament on Wednesday after a remark he made about “kebabs” was regarded by fellow lawmakers as a racist comment about Turkish people.

Conor Lenihan, who is also junior minister for overseas development in the foreign ministry, made the remark to Socialist Party leader Joe Higgins during discussion on transport policy.

Higgins has been an outspoken supporter of Turkish immigrant workers who he alleges have been exploited by a Turkish construction company called Gama that has contracts in Ireland.

Sitting behind Prime Minister Bertie Ahern who was answering questions about airline and airport policy, Lenihan told Higgins to “stick with the kebabs”. Higgins immediately raised the remark with Ahern. Lenihan later returned to the parliament chamber and said he wanted to apologize as early as possible “given the interpretation” that might be put on what he had said.

“I made remarks that I now regret having made...I regret the remarks made and apologize sincerely,” Lenihan said. —AFP