Michael Healy-Rae is 'profoundly sorry' for his outspoken support of former FAI CEO John Delaney at an Oireachtas hearing in April 2019.
Delaney along with several FAI chiefs were summoned to the committee hearing amid concerns around the finances and governance of the football association.
At the infamous hearing, Delaney read a brief statement and refused to answer questions directed at him.
While many politicians at the hearing criticised the association, the Kerry TD defended Delaney and claimed he would receive 'the mother of all welcomes' if he visited Kerry.
And after an RTE documentary this week on Delaney highlighted Healy-Rae's comments, he has apologised and said that he was not aware of the FAI's financial situation at the time.
"Anything that I said, looking back on it now was wrong," Healy-Rae told Radio Kerry.
"The reason I would have said it at the time was (because) I thought I was right.
"If anything that I said offended anybody, or offended anybody, I'm profoundly sorry for that".
The hearing was one of many events that revealed the severe financial debt facing the FAI before Delaney and the association parted ways in September 2019.
Since the hearing, the government have approved a bailout of over €35 million to the embattled association after a period of reform at Abbotstown.
