The Taoiseach has apologised for comparing the Fianna Fáil leader to a 'sinning priest.'

Leo Varadkar made the remarks during a debate with Micheál Martin in the Dáil yesterday.

He said Deputy Martin was like a parish priest preaching to avoid sin and then engaging in all kinds of sin behind the altar.

A number of TDs called for an apology, and Leo Varadkar gave one this afternoon.

“Look I said something in the heat of debate in the Dáil yesterday,” he said.

“It was a rather bitter and personal debate on both sides but in doing so I offended a lot of people who I never intended to offend.

“I am sorry for that; I do apologise and I am going to withdraw the remarks.”

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar speaking to the media during a plenary meeting with members of the Government and representatives of almost 30 different churches, faith communities and non-confessional organisations at Dublin Castle, 04-07-2019. Image: Niall Carson/PA Wire/PA Imageso Varadkar

During a debate in the Dáil yesterday, Deputy Martin accused the Taoiseach of “obfuscation after obfuscation” regarding overspending on capital projects and asked him not to be “petty, silly and idiotic” in his response.

Mr Varadkar responded by saying: “I am always amused and bemused that Deputy Martin likes to accuse me of being partisan and personal yet, as evidenced by his name-calling today, he is very capable of being partisan and personal himself.”

“The deputy reminds me of one of those parish priests who preaches from the altar telling us to avoid sin while secretly going behind the altar and engaging in any amount of sin himself.”

The comments angered many within the Church and speaking outside a meeting a religious leaders in Dublin Castle today he said he “absolutely” has respect for the Catholic Church.

“I have immense respect for priests and the sacrifice in the lives that they lead really and I have immense respect for people of faith,” he said.

“It didn’t come out the way I intended it.”