Minister for Agriculture Mary Coughlan has apologised for swearing at a farmer during a heated exchange while canvassing in Co Meath.
The apology followed newspaper reports yesterday that Ms Coughlan told a farmer to "f*** off" during a visit to his farm at Ardrath on the Meath/Dublin border.
However, the Minister's version of events are at odds with those of the farmer, Michael Dunican, a prominent farmer and former captain of the Meath county football team during the late 1950s and 1960s.
In a statement yesterday Ms Coughlan confirmed an incident had occurred. "On arrival in the yard this man seemed very upset by events relating to a herd test," she said.
"This had taken place earlier in the week. Very early in the conversation he became more upset, raising his voice and becoming very aggressive. I apologise for any bad language that slipped out in a situation of my feeling very threatened."
She also praised her Garda driver for "dealing with the situation expeditiously".
Ms Coughlan said she had asked her officials to examine any issues arising from the test.
Telephone callers to Mr Dunican's home yesterday were told he was not available and was away.
However, in an interview with the Sunday Independent, the farmer who said he was a lifelong Fianna Fáil supporter, claimed Ms Coughlan swore at him several times after he had raised a number of agricultural issues, and the Punchestown event centre.
"Then I asked her if she knew what the difference was between liquid milk [ production] and creamery milk," he is reported to have said. "She asked me if I thought she didn't know. I said back to her if she knew it then she could explain it. Then she replied: 'Would you ever f*** off.' Then she said it again and again."