The Taoiseach also said Calleary was "very dignified" in resigning from Cabinet.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said there is "always a back" for a person of Dara Calleary's calibre following the latter's resignation as Minister for Agriculture in August 2020.
Calleary stepped down from the position after he attended the controversial Oireachtas Golf Society gathering.
On Thursday (3 February), four men - Independent TD Noel Grealish, former senator Donie Cassidy and Clifden hoteliers John and James Sweeney - accused of organising the event in breach of Covid regulations had their charges dismissed in court.
Following this, at a Friday press conference, the Taoiseach was asked about Calleary's resignation.
"I accept the court decision obviously," Martin said, adding; "But there was a broader issue given what we had just at that time had asked the Irish people to do in terms of very severe restrictions.
"And when Dara resigned, I paid tribute to the decision he took in the sense that I think Dara understood... the importance of trust between Government and people in respect of Covid-19's management, the restrictions that were brought in.
"In many ways, what he did I think, it was a very high price for him to pay.
"It was very dignified what he did and in many ways, he ensured the continuation of that trust in terms of the issue around how we manage Covid-19.
"Of course, the door is always open and there's always a way back for a person of the calibre of Dara Calleary. That's clear."
Main image via Julien Behal Photography and Sam Boal/ RollingNews.ie 
