TV3 has apologised to a Co Kerry councillor for a news presenter's "tongue-in-cheek" remark about the county.
The apology was in response to a letter of complaint sent by Ms Sheila Dickson following a comment by newsreader Gráinne Seoige two weeks ago.
Mr Andrew Hanlon, TV3's director of news and information,said the comment - "Well, it was Kerry, after all" - was not meant to cause any offence and was tongue-in-cheek.
The comment was made during a news item on the outcome of the Radio Kerry Big Micra car competition run in conjunction with Randles Brothers' garage.
The winner of the car, Mr Adrian McCarthy, one of four people to live in the car for up to a month, told TV3 he could not drive away in the car as he had not yet become a licensed driver.
Ms Seoige remarked that one might have thought he would have sorted that out first and then added that it was Kerry, after all.
Cllr Dickson said several people had complained to her about the remark and that she herself was upset by it.
"I am extremely proud to be from Kerry and her comment was totally uncalled for . . . There is no rule in the competition that competitors had to have a licence or be able to drive," Ms Dickson wrote.
The councillor added that a lot of people considered the remark "a slur" on Kerry.
She asked for an apology.
Mr Hanlon replied with an apology for unintentional stereotyping.
But he also pointed out that TV3 had on several occasions broadcast items from "The Kingdom" to help promote the county on a number of levels, including tourism, culture, natural beauty, folklore "and of course its wonderful characters."