Cork South-West TD Christy O'Sullivan says he is deeply embarrassed after being arrested on suspicion of drink driving over the bank holiday weekend.
The 59-year-old Fianna Fáil politician has apologised after failing a breath test near Clonakilty on Monday.
Mr O'Sullivan was stopped at a checkpoint being operated by members of the west Cork Garda Divisional Traffic Corps from Bandon at Western Road in Clonakilty at about 9.30pm on Monday night.
He was arrested after providing gardaí with a breath sample.
He was taken to Clonakilty Garda Station where he gave a blood sample which was sent for analysis to the Medical Bureau of Road Safety in Dublin yesterday.
It is understood it will take between two and six weeks for his blood sample to be analysed and the results will determine whether Mr O'Sullivan is to be prosecuted.
The Fianna Fáil TD was one of five people arrested for drink driving in the Clonakilty area over the past week.
He is said to have been co-operative with gardaí.
Speaking on RTÉ Radio's Morning Ireland, Minister for Education and Cork North West TD Batt O'Keeffe said the deputy had apologised profusely.
Mr O'Keeffe said Mr O'Sullivan was aware that it is inappropriate to drink and drive.
