A member of the federal Liberal party’s inner circle has apologised to the Irish for making “tasteless” remarks that caused days of anger in the European nation.

In an interview on Sky News, Grahame Morris said his comments in relation to Ireland’s historic referendum on gay marriage were intended as humour.

“I love the Irish – the parliament is full of Irish men – but these are people who can’t grow potatoes, they’ve got have a mutant lawn weed as their national symbol and they can’t verbalise the difference between a tree and the number three,” he said last week.

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“And then all of a sudden, Australia has to follow suit,” he added, rejecting the suggestion Australia should also legalise gay marriage.

“I have a feeling this could end up like that stupid referendum on a republic where the electorate wasn’t ready … and you’ve got to put it off for another 10 years.”

On the other side of the panel and politics, Labor lobbyist Bruce Hawker said: “There goes the Irish vote. All you Irishmen out there, note that.”

The Irish media didn’t find the comments very funny.

On Monday, Mr Morris made a mea culpa.

“For two and a half days in the main media, kick Grahame Morris was the main sport instead of gaelic football or soccer,” he said.

“To all those with irish backgrounds I’m very sorry.

“What I said was tasteless and I copped the whack I deserved.”

Mr Morris was the chief of staff to John Howard when he was prime minister, and has since become a lobbyist who has “been involved” with recent Abbott government decisions.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott found his way into hot water when during a video address on St Patrick’s Day he implied the Irish were simply known for swilling Guinness and singing songs.

He had also used a similar speech the year before, and his speech was angrily rebuked by the Irish leader, Taoiseach Enda Kenny.