Michéal Martin says the man the stadium was originally named after, Pádraig Uí Chaoimh, was a "key figure" in establishing the GAA.
The Cork TD continues to say the government allocated 30 million euro towards its development and never sought naming rights.
The Cork County Board is to decide this evening if the stadium is to be re-named SuperValu Páirc in a corporate partnership.
Meanwhile
The family of the man Páirc Uí Chaoimh is named after has criticised the proposed name change
Padraig O'Caoimh's grandson Dónal says the eradication of his name is galling and the GAA should remain true to it's roots
"In order for an organisation to grow and thrive it needs to be true to it's roots and to it's identity and where it came from. I think there is a way of raising money and obtaining those resources and funds without selling the very essence and history of who we are and what we do"
