There has been a resounding rejection of Conor McGregor's attempts to run for the presidency, Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers has said.
The Minister was speaking after the MMA fighter was interviewed in Dublin by controversial US broadcaster Tucker Carlson.
Mr Carlson was dismissed by Fox News parted ways in 2023 after it was alleged in a defamation lawsuit against the media company that he allowed debunked election-fraud claims about a voting-technology firm to air on his show, while casting doubts on the plausibility of those claims in private messages that emerged in legal filings.
A week after his departure, Fox Corp media company settled the lawsuit for $787.5 million.
In recent days, he interviewed Mr McGregor for his online news show and visited his pub in Crumlin, Co Dublin.
"I think most political parties and independents completely reject his politics, his rhetoric, his divisive approach to public debate, and I'm sure that will be reflected in in his interview with Tucker Carlson.
"That type of extreme politics isn't something that most Irish people accept. I think it will be widely rejected if he attempted to run for the presidency," Mr Chambers said.
The Minister was speaking at the launch of a new division in his Department which he promised would have the provocative zeal of reform to deliver key infrastructure like water and energy upgrades.
There will also be an additional €20 billion provided to the National Development Plan to make this happen.
He said the division would be able to cut through the nonsense that has delayed major projects, and he hit out at those who oppose housing being built in their areas.
The Minister was particularly critical of a recent planning objection which was based on a claim that the housing development would undermine the character of the area.
He described this a "nebulous reference" that went against the broader social and economic good of the country.
