An Australian commentator has apologised for controversial remarks he made about Ireland on TV.

Grahame Morris claimed the country has a "mutant lawn weed" as its national symbol, and people "can't verbalise the difference between a tree and the number three".

At the beginning of this month, Mr Morris launched the anti-Irish tirade after members of the Australian opposition called for a vote on gay marriage.

Speaking yesterday on Sky News Australia, he made several claims about Ireland and the Irish people.

"The trigger was a vote in Ireland - I love the Irish and half the parliament's full of Irishmen, but these are people who can't grow potatoes, they've got a mutant lawn weed as their national symbol and they can't verbalise the difference between a tree and the number three" he said.

He was complaining after a member of the opposition, Tanya Plibersek, had said her party was going to put up a vote on same-sex marriage, following the vote here.

The Australian Labour Party has introduced a bill to parliament.

Mr Morris has more than 30 years’ association with the Liberal and National Parties around Australia.

He has also served as parliamentary adviser to Liberal leaders Andrew Peacock and Alexander Downer - and as Chief of Staff to former Prime Minister, John Howard.

However speaking to Sky News, he admitted he had got himself into a 'hell of a pickle' over the comments, and said he is 'very sorry'.

He has described his comments as a 'tasteless attempt' at 'Morris humour'.

You can listen to his original comments here.