Gormley's apology followed angry exchanges last Wednesday evening during a debate on a Green party motion on corruption in the planning process. Arts minister John O'Donoghue said the motion had been "sponsored by the bicycle tut-tutters and windmill blowers of the Green party". He added that the Greens had "built a number of political careers by constructing the illusion that utopia waits if one grows enough carrots, pulls enough turnips and eats enough lettuce". Several Green TDs, including Gormley, continuously heckled the minister during his speech. According to the official Dail record, Gormley described O'Donoghue as a "total disgrace". However, he also said, "You are a sewer rat", a remark not included in the official Dail record.

While O'Donoghue did not seek a retraction, Gormley later that evening sought permission to make a personal statement in the Dail. "I made a comment while the minister for arts, sport and tourism. . . was speaking earlier which I thought was inaudible, but apparently it was audible. I would like to withdraw the comment and have the record corrected, " Gormley said. The day before, McDowell had apologised to Gormley for linking Green party members to the recent riots in Dublin city centre.