Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said the series of events that resulted in a veteran TD resigning his post as the party's deputy spokesman on agriculture was embarrassing.
Cork South West TD PJ Sheehan yesterday stepped down from the position after apologising for his treatment of gardaí who prevented him driving under the influence of alcohol.
His decision followed a meeting with Mr Kenny.
Mr Sheehan had already apologised for his role in the incident, which involved gardaí on duty at Leinster House at about 1am last July 8th, when the Dáil was going into recess.
The details of the matter were leaked to the media at the weekend and Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy has asked for a report into the matter.
Speaking at the National and European Ploughing Championships in Co Kildare today, Mr Kenny admitted the incident was an embarrassment to the party but added that it was completely out of character for the TD in question.
Mr Kenny said he had acted immediately when he became aware of the full facts of the Sheehan incident.
"I spoke to the deputy, he issued a full and unreserved apology and he has tendered his resignation, which I accepted, as a junior spokesperson on agriculture.
"I became aware of the full facts in the leaked report yesterday and I acted immediately. I was aware of the general gist of the conversation the deputy had which should not have happened and was completely out of character for him, [and] for which he has issued a full apology," he said.
According to the Garda report on the incident, leaked to reporters, Mr Sheehan was informed he was not in a fit condition to drive as he would be a “serious risk” to himself and others and be liable for arrest for drink-driving.
He told a garda she would never be promoted “when we get into power”. Mr Sheehan eventually agreed to take a taxi and leave his car at Leinster House overnight.
A spokesman for the Commissioner said today that while the issue had been appropriately dealt with by the local Garda Superintendent at the time, given the level of attention the case had received a full report was now being sought.