Fine Gael’s Mr Alan Dukes has accused the Progressive Democrats (PDS) of hypocrisy for sharing power with Fianna Fáil yet warning their coalition partners were not fit to govern in a single-party administration.
Mr Dukes said: "After five years of cosy cohabitation the PDs have suddenly discovered their partner is a shifty profligate, not a party to be trusted on its own.
"The PDs cannot have it both ways. They should either be loyal to their partners in Government or else have the honesty to tell the public why Fianna Fáil cannot be trusted".
His criticism followed recent comments by PD president and current Attorney General Mr Michael McDowell, who said a single party Fianna Fáil government could drag Ireland back to the worst days of corruption and scandal.
Mr McDowell has also put up posters in his target constituency, Dublin South East, warning against a Fianna Fáil majority.
A PDs spokesman said the stance was taken because coalition government had served the country better than single-party administrations.