The South Western Area Health Board has confirmed that it will investigate the circumstances surrounding the breach of the smoking ban by Fine Gael TD John Deasy.
It comes as Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny explained his decision to sack the party's Justice Spokesman for smoking a cigarette in the Dáil bar.
Mr Kenny said it was important for politicians to maintain high standards and added there was a special responsibility on all politicians to uphold the law.
He was speaking to reporters at the National Forum On Europe in Croke Park. The Cork South West TD, Jim O'Keeffe, is to be Fine Gael's new Justice Spokesman.
Earlier, Mr Deasy admitted he had smoked a number of cigarettes in the Leinster House members' bar on Tuesday night.
He had defied the smoking ban after a dispute with staff over access to an outside area where he felt he should be allowed to light up.
His party leader summoned him to a meeting at 10.30pm last night, but the Waterford deputy failed to show and a terse phone conversation three-quarters of an hour later sealed his fate.
Mr Deasy had been involved in controversy since his unexpected appointment as a new and youthful deputy to the Fine Gael front bench.
He had been rebuked for criticising former party leader John Bruton and for voting with the Government after a row with his own party whip.
Meanwhile, the Taoiseach, who was also at the forum, praised the Irish people for their reaction to the smoking ban. Bertie Ahern said that people were complying 100%.
