Former taoiseach Bertie Ahern has said his comments around immigration were "not careful or polished" - but he stands over his views. Mr Ahern said it is a "sad day" if Ireland has reached the point where you are "jumped on" for discussing an issue that ordinary people are already debating.
Pep Guardiola defended his stance of speaking up about global conflicts by asking, "why should I not express what I feel, just because I am a manager?" On Tuesday, the Manchester City boss said he wants to use his position to "speak up to be a better society" as he talked at a football news conference about the "hurt" he feels for victims of global conflict.