Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea has denied using foul language to a man and woman in a Limerick pub during a heated discussion over Shannon airport.
It has been claimed that Mr O'Dea referred to the man as a "big p***k" and told the woman he did not "give a f**k" about her during the exchange of views in South's pub in Limerick last Saturday night.
However, Mr O'Dea said he did not use those words and had no need "to resort to language like that". He said he may have told them to "feck off" or "get lost".
He said the man and woman approached him in the pub "very vociferously talking about Shannon" and that he may have been dismissive.
"What happened here was that I listened to people, I tried to explain my position, I was shouted down, and at the end, I will admit, I was dismissive and I said 'sod off' or words to that effect and walked away," said Mr O'Dea.
The Minister also denies asking the man outside for a fight.
"I think he was six-foot plus. Now wouldn't it be very foolish to ask a six-foot [out to fight]. I've never asked anybody out to fight," added Mr O'Dea.
However, John Fahey, chief executive of the Meet Limerick/Shannon conferencing promotion group, and Geraldine Morrissey, spokeswoman for Aer Lingus workers at the airport, claim a different version of events in South's pub.
They claim Mr O'Dea approached them. Ms Morrisey said she asked him why he did not take part in the Dáil debate on Shannon last Thursday.
Mr Fahy said that that Mr O'Dea replied that he was the Minister for Defence. Mr Fahy responded that he had not defended Shannon very well.
"At that, he [Mr O'Dea] turned around and said, "Who is that big p***k?" and asked me out saying he would like to hit me. I told him, if he was any bigger I might. He then turned to Geraldine Morrissey and said "I don't give a f**k about you," Mr Fahy told a newspaper.
Ms Morrisey and Mr Fahy are seeking an apology from the Minister.