Minister for Sport Shane Ross has written to European Games organisers to inform them that Pat Hickey will not be representing Ireland at the European Games.
Former OCI president Hickey has been invited to the Games in Belarus next week despite no longer being involved in the organisation that has remodelled itself as the Olympic Federation of Ireland.
OFI bosses claim that the Dubliner's invite came as he is a former president of the European Olympic Committee and one of the founders of the European Games.
"He would not have been my choice but he's not representing Ireland, and we've made that absolutely clear," said Minister Ross.
"We're writing a letter to the European Association to let them know that he's not representing Ireland.
"The OFI, as you know, has reformed remarkably well and we're very happy that we have been able to restore funding to them.
"But Pat Hickey is not representing Ireland and it is up to them whom they invite.
"It's not obviously something that we welcome and it's obviously something that we have made clear that he does not represent us. After that, it's up to them."
Asked if he was concerned that Hickey could be invited to next year's Olympic Games in Tokyo despite controversial events in Rio three years ago, Ross replied: "He won't be representing us and he won't be representing the OFI.
"What I say to that is that if anybody wants to invite Pat Hickey to anything, then they're welcome to do so.
"He would not be first on my invitation list but that's up to them".
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