The Green Party leader says the Government needs to 'reflect and regroup' following the resignation of Dara Calleary from Cabinet.
Eamon Ryan says the Oireachtas Golf Society event in Co Galway should not have happened, reiterating comments made by coalition partners Micheál Martin and Leo Varadkar.
Deputy Calleary was one of over 80 guests at the function, with other TDs, senators and European Commissioner Phil Hogan among the others who attended.
Gardaí say they are investigating the event on Wednesday for alleged breaches of public health legislation.
Deputy Calleary resigned as Agriculture Minister this morning due to the controversy, while both Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil have removed the party whip from several senators who attended.
In a statement this afternoon, Eamon Ryan said he thinks Dara Calleary has done the right thing by resigning.
The Green leader said: "This event should not have taken place, it was a clear breach of the COVID-19 regulations. I think Dara Calleary has done the right thing.
"Cabinet ministers who participate in making decisions that impact people like this have a duty more than anyone else to stick to the regulations.
"He made a mistake, he apologised and now he has resigned.
"I hope this will not impact the good work happening right now across government."
Minister Ryan said there's "no doubt" the last few months have been difficult, with many people having made "huge sacrifices".
He said: "What the government needs to do now is reflect, regroup, and focus our attention on what needs to be done.
"The programme for government is a truly ambitious document and if delivered on will change Ireland for the better."
Opposition parties have today been calling for the Dáil to be recalled in light of the revelations.
However, Sinn Féin's Mary Lou McDonald said Taoiseach Micheál Martin 'refused' her request for that to happen.
