INDEPENDENT TD DANNY Healy-Rae has defended his stance on climate change, saying Noah’s Ark is “fact”.

In an interview in the new issue of Hot Press, in stores this morning, Kerry TD Healy-Rae discusses a wealth of topics – including why he’d have no problem shooting an intruder in his home.

The TD made headlines earlier this year when he asserted that “God above” is in charge of the weather. And in the new Hot Press, the Kerry TD goes one better, explaining his controversial views on climate change with reference to Noah’s Ark as fact.

Asked by Hot Press journalist Jason O’Toole whether he felt criticism of his views was unfair, he replied:

Everyone is entitled to their view. I’m basing my views on facts. The facts are there and history proves it. We had the Ice Age. We had Noah’s Ark. We had all those stories. We’ve proof of the Famine in 1740, which was caused by two years of incessant rain.

“Those are facts.”

Healy-Rae adds that he believes climate patterns shift through centuries.

“There were some centuries when the country was very hot and warm and then there were different centuries with so much rain and cold. So, those are facts.”

#Open journalism No news is bad news Support The Journal Your contributions will help us continue to deliver the stories that are important to you Support us now

The Kilgarvan-based politician also declares that he would have no hesitation in shooting an intruder on his property.

I’d aim for their legs first. I’d immobilise them first, or something like that, if there was no other way of dealing with them.

“I’d have no problem with that. It’s ridiculous where the law actually favours the criminal in some of these incidents.”

The interview is carried in the Electric Picnic edition of Hot Press, on shelves this morning.