Updated 9.50pm [with video]

YouTube: Hugh O’Connell

SENATOR DAVID NORRIS said he is happy to withdraw his “intemperate” remarks towards  Fine Gael TD Regina Doherty.

Norris, who yesterday said Deputy Doherty was “talking through her fanny” in regards to Seanad reform, said in a statement to the Seanad this morning  that he “regrets any offence caused”.

The Independent Senator said however that the words of Brendan Howlin following the incident demonstrated that the referendum to abolish the Seanad will be a “dirty campaign”.

Senator Norris statement to the Seanad in full:

I’d just like to explain what happened yesterday and put it in context and withdraw some of the words which gave offence. I have to say that I was simply furious having just possessed a copy of this mendacious document in which those of us over the last thirty years who have campaigned for Seanad reform were just smeared in the nastiest way. This is going to be a very very dirty campaign and it comes from the top and I was incandescent with rage.

Now I would like to say that I accept that my language was intemperate. Had I been called for an explanation at the time I would have given one. I don’t intend to give a lengthy linguistic explanation and try to defend what I said which I could if it was an academic discussion. I regret any offence but I’d like to say that thing I regret most is that this is going to be used in this dirty campaign as a diversion.

Regina Doherty TD is to make a formal complaint to the leader of the Seanad following comments by the Norris.

First published 11.27am

Video: David Norris accuses Fine Gael TD of ‘speaking out of her f***y’

Read: Doherty: Norris comments gave Seanad abolition campaign a boost

Poll: Should David Norris apologise to Regina Doherty?