Ryan Tubridy has clarified the comments he made about Greta Thunberg on his radio show yesterday.
Speaking on his RTE Radio One show this morning, Tubridy said that his comments “came from the heart.”
Yesterday, Ryan commented that the 16-year-old climate activist shouldn’t be on a “stage that size” in reference to her addressing the United Nations on climate change.
The Late Late Show host said: “A lot of papers are talking about my comments about Greta Thunberg, which seemed to have caused a lot of upset to some people.”
“What I was saying with regards to Greta, and this isn’t a defence or an apology, it’s simply a clarification to say that what I said it came from the heart.”
“It was just a genuine concern for a young person on an amplified stage.
“I’m 46 years old and apparently I was shredded yesterday online and that’s fine because I’m not on it and I didn’t see it.”
“My concern yesterday was for a young person and for her health and well-being that’s all.”
“I’ve been a massive supporter of the climate marches, repeatedly told you how much I admire the young people and their movement and their engagement in politics and public affairs which is rare and welcome and important.”
Tubridy clarified that he get the young people who protest, as well as the need for climate change, asserting that he does his bit for the environment.
“At the most local level I’ve been boasting like a fool about my brown bin under the sink, the keep cup, the paper straws – I get this. Let there be no doubt, I get this.
“I get the young people who do this, I have great time for young people. Never underestimate my love and appreciation for the next generation. Please don’t.”
