A Cork taxi driver has denied being politically motivated to speak out about Dara Murphy's controversial journey to Dublin airport.

The Minister for European Affairs yesterday said he 'regrets' if people feel he made the wrong call in contacting gardaí for help when his car broke down, but defended his efforts to find an alternative.

A taxi driver says he spoke to the Minister that night about taking him to the airport, but when he was told it could cost at least €300, the Minister decided against hiring him.

Minicab owner Gerdy Murphy from Cork, has been identified in media reports today as a Fianna Fáil supporter - but he says he was not aware it was a Fine Gael Minister he was speaking to that night.

Mr Murphy says he only spoke out on Friday morning when he saw newspaper reports, because he wanted a number of issues clarified:

Meanwhile, the Tánaiste says Minister Murphy's use of a garda car to travel from Cork to Dublin Airport was not "appropriate" at a time of heightened concern over rural crime.

However, Joan Burton has welcomed Dara Murphy's apology over the issue, and she has said he should not resign over the controversy.

"It's not the best use of police resources. Particularly in a rural area at the moment where people are certainly nervous about the idea of criminal gangs who are riding around the countryside, looking for where they can carry out opportunistic robberies."