Comments by music manager Louis Walsh about the Special Olympics World Games were "insensitive and factually incorrect", the Minister for Sport and Tourism, Mr O'Donoghue, said.
Speaking at an event for the Irish team on their departure to the host towns, he said: "People such as Mr Walsh should think twice before making comments in the future."
Walsh said on Friday in an interview with The Irish Times the Games were "little more than an ego trip" for some of the organisers. He has since amended his comments, saying he did not wish to offend the thousands of volunteers behind the scenes.
Meanwhile, the sun beamed on the green and gold of Ireland's team at yesterday's event. And all 438 athletes radiated excitement and delight in return.
Yesterday was the official send-off for Team Ireland as the athletes, coaches and chaperones set off to stay with their host towns - Leixlip, Celbridge and Kilcock, Co Kildare, and Lucan, Co Dublin. The team is spread between four towns because, with coaches, it numbers 670, the largest in the Games.
Kitted out in their green and gold colours, the footballers, bowlers, golfers, table-tennis players, horse-riders, and other athletes, gathered for a spirited farewell in the main courtyard of the National Museum of Ireland at Collins Barracks. They will stay with their host towns until Friday and will take part in the opening ceremony at Croke Park on Saturday.
The athletes, aged between 11 and 58, will represent their country in 13 sports.
"This is a very, very special day for them," said Mr Pat Costello, managing director of Special Olympics Ireland.
"They have been preparing for this day for at least a year, in many cases for much, much longer. This is the culmination of four years' work. Today the Games really begin for them.
"They'll be staying with host families until Friday before all moving to Maynooth College for the Games themselves."
Many will be spending almost two weeks away from their families for the first time. Over the past year they have had training weekends away "partly to acclimatise them to being away from home", said Mr Costello.
Pádraig O'Loane, from Roscrea, Co Tipperary, a soccer player, was yesterday setting off for Lucan. "I've been training hard for the last 10 months - once a month in Dublin and weekly where I live.
"It's been great fun, absolutely great fun and I've been meeting loads of new people."
Asked how well he hopes the Irish 11-a-side soccer team will do, he said he hoped "very well". His team faces teams from Costa Rica, Turkey and Britain.
Nicola Carroll, from Dungarvan, Co Waterford, will play basketball for Ireland. She was yesterday leaving with her team for Leixlip. "I've met so many lovely people. This is the best thing I have ever done," she said.
The Minister said the world would be "looking on" as the Games "shine a light into every corner of Ireland".
"I know all 438 of you will do all you possibly can to do your country proud." He said more important than winning, however, was participating.
Praising the team colours, he said, as a Kerryman, it was clear to him the athletes "know a winner when \ see one".
