The chairman of the Galway branch of the Vintners' Federation of Ireland has retracted his claim that Minister of State, Mr Frank Fahey, gave a commitment to support the publicans in their opposition to the smoking ban.
Mr Christy Ruane withdrew his claim yesterday and apologised to Mr Fahey just 24 hours after making a strong attack on him for "double dealing" on the issue.
He had originally asserted that Mr Fahey had given Galway publicans "an undertaking that he would support us and do his best to achieve a compromise".
He had also responded to Mr Fahey's assertion that he supported Government policy on the issue by saying: "He's beginning to double deal and that is not a nice way to conduct politics."
However, yesterday he retracted these statements, saying they had been made "in the heat of the moment". In relation to his claim that Mr Fahey had said he would support the publicans, he acknowledged "that Minster Fahey did not make any such commitment and apologies for any embarrassment caused".
On Wednesday Mr Fahey returned early from a holiday amid controversy over his position on the smoking ban.
The controversy arose from claims that he had given the commitment referred to by Mr Ruane, and also his own statements that he had "concerns" over the enforcement of the ban and other technical issues relating to it.
Mr Fahey is Minister of State with responsibility for health and safety in the workplace and will have a role in the implementation of the ban in workplaces, including pubs and restaurants.
This week, while saying he supported Government policy - which is for a total ban - he also drew attention to reports being prepared by the health and safety authority on the effectiveness of new ventilation systems in creating a smoke free atmosphere - an issue which would only be relevant if pubs and restaurants were to retain smoking areas.