The last week was "not good" for the Government, junior minister Jack Chambers has admitted.
He acknowledged recent controversies have caused "huge frustration and anger" - but suggested the Government is now "moving on".
The controversy began for the Government when former minister Katherine Zappone was appointed to a UN special envoy role - one she has since turned down.
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar, meanwhile, came under scrutiny after it emerged he attended an event for around 50 people at the Merrion Hotel organised by Ms Zappone, several days before she was appointed to the role.
Mr Varadkar has said he regrets his attendance at the outdoor event - although has insisted it wasn't in breach of regulations at the time and 'probably' wasn't in breach of hospitality guidelines.
Fáilte Ireland guidelines have now been updated in the wake of the controversy, as well as advice from the Attorney General stating that organised social events of up to 200 people can take place in outdoor settings
The Tánaiste has apologised to the hospitality sector for the confusion caused.
Opposition parties have sharply criticised the Government for the recent events, while also criticising the Attorney General's intervention in the row.
On Newstalk Breakfast, Minister of State Jack Chambers said it has been a tough week for the Government.
He said: “I acknowledge and appreciate the huge frustration and anger that the last number of days have caused. I welcome the fact that the Tánaiste has apologised directly to the industry, and expressed his regret about the controversy.
“I think it has been a difficult number of days, and last week was not good for the Government - there’s no doubt about that.
"But we’re moving on, and we’re trying to focus now on the next phase of managing COVID.”
He said the Government is now focusing on the next stage of easing COVID-19 restrictions - including a return of workers to offices, as well as the return of education next month.
He suggested the "contradiction" between regulations and guidelines have been addressed in wake of the recent controversy.
The Government last week said it will publish a new roadmap on the easing of remaining COVID-19 restrictions by the end of August.
Minister Chambers suggested there'll be much more emphasis on "personal responsibility" than regulations in the next phase of the pandemic.
