The Finance Minister has said he "unequivocally and absolutely" supports Tánaiste Leo Varadkar in the wake of the Merrion Gate controversy.
Paschal Donohoe said he was also invited to the event by Katherine Zappone but was away on Government business at the time.
However, he refused to say whether he would have attended the function at the Merrion Hotel - saying he didn't give it much thought.
The fallout from the controversy has seen the guidelines for outdoor hospitality events updated, with up to 200 people now allowed to attend organised social events.
Opposition parties claim the controversy has undermined the public health guidelines, and they've also sharply criticised the Attorney General's intervention in the row.
Mr Varadkar, meanwhile, has apologised for his attendance.
However, he has insisted the event didn't breach regulations in place at the time and "probably" didn't breach the guidelines for the sector.
Minister Donohoe today said he has accepted Leo Varadkar's version of events.
Speaking this afternoon, the minister said: "I apologise for the annoyance and difficulty that I know was created around the event.
"I unequivocally and absolutely support the Tánaiste in the work he is doing."
