Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said yesterday that Jim McDaid would not suffer any political consequences or sanctions as a result of his admission of drink-driving last week.
"I am obviously very disappointed. Deputy McDaid has unreservedly apologised and he understands the implications and has taken full responsibility. The law will take its course," Mr Ahern said in Sligo.
When asked if Dr McDaid would suffer political consequences or whether he should resign his position, the Taoiseach said he did not believe so.
"He will pay a heavy price. He accepts that as a lawmaker there is a higher standard that should be applied to him.
"It would be nice if there were never cases like this, but there are," he said.
Meanwhile, Minister of State Brian Lenihan has called for Dr McDaid to be "left in peace" as further details of the events leading to his arrest for drink-driving emerged yesterday.
Mr Lenihan said he did not think Dr McDaid should resign his Dáil seat.
He felt very sorry for his colleague, who had gone "straight up to the public and expressed his atonement, and I think he should be left in peace".
His comments came as a spokeswoman for the chief executive of Dublin's City West Hotel, John Glynn, confirmed that he had offered the former minister a room for the night and then called him a taxi to get back to the city.
Mr Glynn was in Dr McDaid's company in the hotel after the Punchestown races. He said he offered him something to eat, but the TD had said No.
"I then asked him would he like to stay the night, but he said that he already had a hotel organised in the city centre."
He got one of his staff to call a taxi for him. "Jim went out the hotel front door and left here in a taxi. I know that for certain. However, I know his car was parked down the drive in our car park."
At some point Dr McDaid got out of the taxi and drove his own car on to the Naas dual carriageway.
It was shortly afterwards that he drove the wrong way down the dual carriageway and was arrested for drink-driving.
Dr McDaid said yesterday that when in the Dáil on Tuesday a friend had phoned him inviting him to travel with him by helicopter from City West to Punchestown racecourse.
"I drove out to City West and then we travelled to the races together. My friend had a box there and I was offered a glass of white wine.
"In those corporate boxes they just keep topping up your glass."