To add to my last comments, I completely accept that some people make offensive comments either knowingly and deliberately or thoughtlessly and uncaringly and that there are some who do this and then get away with it by saying "Im sorry if ..."

But I suppose the answer is to scrutinize their reasons.

If someone attempte to change the subject and start talking about their good points then that suggests they are avoiding the issue.

If someone responds explicitly to the iissue and gives a resonable answer then their answer should be treated seriously.

But it does not follow that if somebody says "I'm sorry if ..." that their apology is insincere or that they are getting away with anything.

Tommy Tiernans comments are consistent with the approach he takes - in his job - to all issues.

He believes in satire and applies it across the board, including to himself and his own people and does not discriminate on grounds of race, culture or creed.

He uses satire to deal with any issue.

That is to be commended and is a sign of courage in my eyes.