Ulster Unionist leader Mr David Trimble today refused to retract comments that the Republic is a "pathetic, sectarian, mono-cultural and mono-ethnic state."
In a seminar in Washington, where he was presented with the global citizen circle award for his efforts in achieving peace in Northern Ireland, the Stormont First Minister said he was "quite surprised" by the reaction to his comment at the weekend to the Ulster Unionist Council.
Mr Trimble, who was sharing a platform with Northern Ireland's nationalist Deputy First Minister Mr Mark Durkan said: "The language I used was nothing new and one I used on many occasions.
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"What I was doing was drawing a contrast on what is undoubtedly a multinational and multi-ethnic state such as the United Kingdom.
"I would ask people to bear in mind that this is the kind of language used when you're particularly speaking to your own party. You expect some vigour in the debate."
Mr Trimble claimed a book 30 years ago by the former Minister Mr Conor Cruise O'Brien called States of Irelanddepicted Ireland as a "republic of snarled dogs".
He also said the abortion referendum last week had been "a sectarian exercise".
"The vote on abortion was very sectarian and I think that is why my comments have touched a raw nerve.
Mr Trimble's assertion over the abortion referendum was challenged by Mr Durkan.
The Deputy First Minister also expressed concern about Mr Trimble's comments on the Republic.
"As far as the referendum was concerned, I do not think the campaign was sectarian and I certainly do not think the vote was sectarian.
"I, like many people in the South and many in the North took exception to David's description of the Republic," he said.
PA