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Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar has apologized after making a "wrong" comment during a speech in Washington DC in what is seen as an apparent reference to the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal. Reminiscing about his experience as an intern in the United States, Mr. Varadkar touched on possible concerns about being an intern in the US capital at that time. Varadkar made the remarks while addressing the Washington Ireland Program, which helps young people develop job skills and which Varadkar attended in 2000.
The Taoiseach's comment came hours after he attended an event honoring women's roles in the Good Friday Agreement, where he praised Hillary Clinton for her sustained involvement in Northern Ireland.
A spokesperson for Mr. Varadkar said in a statement after the event: “At today's Washington Ireland Program event, the Taoiseach reminisced about his time in Washington DC as a 23-year-old intern.
"He made a reckless and ill-judged comment that he regrets. He apologizes for any offense caused to anyone involved."
It comes before former US President Bill Clinton and Mrs Clinton play prominent roles in commemorations planned in Northern Ireland to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement next month.
The comments were made during one of the more low-key events on Taoiseach's three-day DC itinerary, which takes place between engagements with high-profile political and business figures.
Monica Lewinsky was 22 years old and a White House intern when she and then-US President Bill Clinton became romantically involved in the 1990s.
She was ridiculed for years after the scandal broke.
The case nearly forced Clinton to resign, and Lewinsky has spoken of the devastating effect it had on his life in the years that followed.
Varadkar sat next to Hillary Clinton at the Thursday morning event at Georgetown University that focused on the role of women in the Northern Ireland peace process.
The Taoiseach's controversial comments about the interns later that day preceded his meeting with President Joe Biden at the White House on Friday to mark St. Patrick's Day.
During a bilateral meeting, the two politicians are expected to discuss the president's planned visit to the island of Ireland next month.
Varadkar is also expected to thank Joe Biden for his administration's support during the Brexit process.
The Taoiseach's visit will conclude with a high-profile ceremony to present a crystal bowl of shamrocks to the President of the United States at the White House.
Friday's program will begin with a breakfast for Mr. Varadkar with US Vice President Kamala Harris.
PA wire
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