The Enterprise Minister believes Paschal Donohoe gave a credible explanation for issues around his declarations in the 2016 General Election.
Simon Coveney says the Standards In Public Office should be allowed to carry out its investigation into the Public Expenditure Minister.
Minister Donohoe is facing a probe after he failed to declare services which were paid for by an engineering firm.
Minister Coveney says he believes his government colleague will co-operate with any queries from SIPO.
"It was only when he started to look in detail and to ask questions as to who paid for what and so on, that he established the numbers.
"Now he's apologised and said he would have liked to have done this earlier, and he has corrected the record fully."
