The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, has accused republicans of turning on and off punishment attacks to suit the negotiations in the Northern Ireland peace process.
In remarks directed at the five Sinn Féin TDs at Leaders' Questions, Mr Ahern listed beatings and shootings in Belfast that had taken place since the talks broke down at Christmas.
During highly-charged exchanges in the Dáil, Mr Ahern rounded on the party.
He told Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny that all aspects of any deal with republicans, including the early release of Garda Jerry McCabe's killers, were now off the table.
Mr Ahern added that he had been angered by the timing of the Northern Bank raid, and he listed a number of other robberies that he said the Provisionals had been responsible for.
Sinn Féin's Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin claimed that the Taoiseach's remarks were intended to damage the party electorally, and he accused Mr Ahern of seeking electoral advantage.
The Taoiseach replied that if he had wanted to marginalise Sinn Féin he would not have spent so much time trying to bring it into the political centre.
Ahern & Paisley in talks
Earlier, Mr Ahern discussed the problems in the peace process with the DUP leader, Reverend Ian Paisley.
A Government spokesperson said Mr Ahern had a lengthy and useful telephone discussion with Dr Paisley about the current situation.
Tomorrow the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, is due to meet the Sinn Féin leadership.
Sinn Féin in Washington
It came as a Sinn Féin delegation held meetings with US Congressmen today as part of a visit to Washington DC.
Sinn Féin is in the US capital to talk to Congressmen from both the Democratic and Republican parties who form the bi-partisan Friends of Ireland group on Capitol Hill.
Yesterday evening, the delegation, led by Gerry Kelly, met officials from the State Department.
Department sources described the meeting as 'a private discussion', but it is understood the issue of the Northern Bank robbery was raised.
Mr Kelly said after the meeting that he had reiterated his party's position that it believed the IRA did not carry out the robbery. He also said he was assured there was 'no issue' over the granting of US visas to Sinn Féin activists.
