Brian Brennan (Wicklow-Wexford, Fine Gael)

The "smear the bejaysus" comment was absolutely disgusting and it was totally disrespectful of the presidential process. Mr. Yates has a position here this evening to make an official apology to each of those candidates. Mr. Yates was a Minister. He sat here as a Minister and a TD. He knows exactly what every candidate went through - Jim Gavin, Catherine Connolly and Heather Humphreys - and what they put themselves through. When they look at someone using the word "smear", the definition of smear is to purposely try to damage someone's reputation by false accusations. Why would somebody put themselves forward at political level if a commentator such as him is coming out with comments like that?