The National Public Health Emergency Team has been wary of the tests despite numerous experts endorsing them.
Politicians from the Oireachtas Transport Committee are now asking Dr Tony Holohan to appear before them and explain his opposition to the use of the tests.
Passengers arriving into Ireland must have a negative PCR test carried out no more than 72 hours before landing.
Public health officials fear antigen testing would give people license to ignore public health measures.
PCR tests can take a number of days to process, where as antigen tests are typically completed within an hour.
