Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney said he was "very embarrassed" after he had a summons for speeding struck out in the District Court.

A car registered to him was clocked by a speed camera van in Cobh in May of last year traveling at 71kph in a 60kph zone.

Mr Coveney told the court that he was in the car on the night but that it was driven by his professional driver.

Judge Brian Sheridan said he was satisfied Mr Coveney was not driving the car at the time and he ordered him to pay €200 to the court poor box and the charge was struck out.

Afterwards the Minister said the incident is clearly embarrassing and should not have happened.