The Transport Minister has labelled some comments by the Wexford Fine Gael by-election candidate Verona Murphy as "irresponsible".
Shane Ross was responding to reports Ms Murphy told the Taoiseach, in her role as President of the Irish Road Haulage Association, that the Transport Minister had "no comprehension as to what is good for Ireland".
The Irish Independent reports she emailed Leo Varadkar criticising the Transport Minister's decision to cut the maximum load that trucks can carry on Irish roads.
Minister Ross today said he thoroughly disagrees with a number of controversial remarks made by Ms Murphy.
He told reporters: "The Taoiseach has said some of the remarks Verona Murphy made... he fundamentally disagrees with. I agree with him.
"I think some of the things she said have been irresponsible and wrong.
"I thoroughly disagree with them as well, and I support the Taoiseach's statements on that."
He added: "She said that she didn't approve of the RSA [Road Safety Authority], and wanted it to be abolish... she said all sorts of very critical things.
"She said things which are bordering on the irresponsible... which are irresponsible."
Ms Murphy is among the candidates in Wexford for the by-election which takes place tomorrow, and is Fine Gael's candidate in the constituency.
The campaign has also seen the businesswoman face scrutiny over comments she made about asylum seekers - comments for which she has since apologised.
