Taoiseach Micheal Martin has insisted no politician is above the law.
It come as Agriculture Minister and Fianna Fail TD Barry Cowen is set to make a statement in the Dail later on Tuesday about his drink-driving offence.
Mr Cowen said he was embarrassed after it emerged last week that he was barred from driving for three months in 2016 after he was found to be drink-driving.
He was on a provisional driving licence when he was stopped at a checkpoint and breathalysed on his way home to Co Offaly after an All-Ireland football final in Dublin.
Mr Cowen was found to be over the limit and was issued with a fixed-charge penalty notice, a 200 euro fine, and was disqualified from driving for three months.
Labour leader Alan Kelly called on Mr Cowen to tell the Dail whether he had ever driven without a driving licence.
Mr Martin said: "No politician is above the law and no politician should be above the law. In respect of Mr Cowen, you will note that punishment was meted out in respect of his transgression four years ago."
RISE TD Paul Murphy said the fact that Mr Cowen will make a statement to the Dail without having to take questions from opposition leaders may set a precedent.
"This is the first test of the Government and whether they're going to use their majority to say there won't be any questions and we'll just make a statement and that will be the end of it."
Ceann Comhairle (Dail Chairman) Sean O Fearghail said Mr Cowen had made a request to him in accordance with standing orders to make a personal explanation to the Dail.
"This request specifically precludes debate. This is not unprecedented in the history of the chamber and numerous statements have been made in this way.
"That has been chosen by Deputy Cowen, it is accepted by me and that is the end of that matter."
.png?w=600)
