Hi all, thanks to all that have contributed.
I have found this thread facinating and enlightening.
I started it because despite all the coverage that the event has received in the Irish print media no report explained why the remark was considered objectional.
I now understand that the phrase was a totally racist and sexist putdown. I'm glad he was canned and I hope that it alerts others in the media and elsewhere to their own prejudices (conscious or subconscious, overt or covert).
In my opinion racism and sexism in all their forms are two of the most malignant cancers that stalks society and they should be challenged wherever they are met
Fergus