The Taoiseach has rejected claims he allowed Barry Cowen to make an incomplete statement to the Dáil, insisting “allegations and assertions and media questions are not facts.”

Micheál Martin has been answering further questions on the former Agriculture Minister’s drink driving ban in the Dáil today.

He sacked Deputy Cowen from the position last night and this afternoon named Mayo TD Dara Calleary as his replacement.

He told the Dáil that Deputy Cowen’s ongoing refusal to answer questions on the controversy had left his position untenable.

“I made it clear to Deputy Cowen yesterday morning that he should come into the House,” he said.

“He said he wasn’t going to and I said I want you to reflect on that.

“As soon as Leaders’ Questions were over I contacted Deputy Cowen and said his position in refusing to come before the Dáil, in my view, was not acceptable and tenable and that he would have to come before the Dáil.”

File Photo of the Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin and TD Barry Cowen on the plinth at Leinster House. Image: RollingNews

He said the "fundamental difference" between the two men was that Deputy Cowen wished to defend himself through legal means, while the Taoiseach felt the issue could only be put to bed by a Dáil appearance.

“It didn’t have to be yesterday; it could have been today, it could have been tomorrow but, in my view, a comprehensive statement was required from the deputy in this House in relation to these issues.

“Because it is my belief that if you are a minister, in particular an office holder, you should come before the house to answer questions in relation to issues of public interest.”

Minister Cowen has admitted to a drink driving offence while driving on a Learner permit in September 2016 and has apologised to the Dáil for his actions.

Over the weekend however, the Sunday Times reported that a Garda report on the incident alleged that he attempted to perform a U-turn on approach to a Garda checkpoint on the night in question.

Minister Cowen has strongly denied the report and has informed the Taoiseach that he believes the Garda report became public illegally.

Deputy Cowen’s sacking came as something of a surprise across the political divide last night after the Government yesterday defeated a motion calling for him to answer questions.

Responding to claims that he was aware of the U-turn allegation and still allowed Deputy Cowen to make an incomplete statement to the House, the Taoiseach said he “strongly disagreed.”

“Allegations and assertion and media questions are not facts and Deputy Cowen is still and was then adamant in relation to the issue of the accuracy of the report from the Pulse file,” he said.

He said he didn’t see a copy of the Pulse file until early yesterday morning.

“Please don’t be asserting that I knew that what I knew yesterday morning a week ago because I didn’t OK? I didn’t,” he said. “I read it myself in terms of the Garda file.”

“But I was also in a difficulty insofar as Deputy Cowen is questioning the accuracy of that report on the file and is going through a legal process to get it changed and in addition to that the matter in relation to the release of his data is being examined and investigated by GSOC.”

Fianna Fáil TD Barry Cowen arrives at Leinster House in Dublin, 20-04-2016. Image: Leah Farrell/RollingNews

He said it was clear to him when he read the file that Deputy Cowen should come before the Dáil.

Deputy Cowen has said the Garda record is incorrect and said he would be seeking to have it corrected under the Data Protection Act.

Gardaí have confirmed that an internal investigation is underway to find out whether the details of the report were leaked. The matter is also being referred to GSOC for investigation.