Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams has said there is a palpable anger among voters over the Government's handling of the economy.
He said people are frightened and disgusted about what has happened.
Speaking in Dublin at the launch of his party's European election campaign, Mr Adams said the forthcoming elections would give voters the opportunity to give their verdict on the Government.
Mr Adams said Sinn Féin was fielding a very strong team of candidates and is the only party putting forward candidates throughout the island.
He said these elections could be a defining moment in the re-alignment in Irish politics, providing the opportunity to build an alliance of the left.
Mr Adams also said his party would still oppose the Lisbon Treaty in a second referendum.
