Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny has attacked Bertie Ahern after the Taoiseach suggested health and education were peripheral issues to voters.
As party leaders today entered the last day of media briefing ahead of the embargo on election reporting at midnight, Mr Kenny said he was astonished when the Taoiseach told UTV viewers last night that the strength of the economy had meant there were "no big issues" in the campaign.
Mr Ahern told viewers on UTV's Insightprogramme last night that although the quality of the campaign had not been high, the strong economy had led to some issues being relegated in public debate.
On the Insightprogramme, The Taoiseach said: "It has not been a brilliant campaign on issues. I mean, you know, because there are no big issues. There's full employment - unemployment is no longer an issue - taxes are internationally low here, investment is internationally high.
"We're spending about treble the rate of what other countries are spending, and generally there's huge investment into most areas. So of course, there are always peripheral issues, some aspects of health and some aspects of education."
Fianna Fáil responded to Mr Kenny by saying the Taoiseach's position was the same as the Opposition in that both agreed there were "some" problems in health and education.
Speaking at his party's final election press conference in Dublin this morning Labour leader Pat Rabbitte said Fianna Fáil was "spreading big lies" about Opposition health proposals.
Newspapers today focused on defining the options for voters with the prospect of a hung Dáil a distinct possibility.
The Irish Timeshighlighted Fianna Fáil's efforts to attract transfer votes, while the Irish Examiner led with Fine Gael accusing Fianna Fáil of a negative and untruthful campaign.
The Irish Independentinterpreted comments by Labour Party leader Pat Rabbitte yesterday as suggesting he was leaving open the possibility of coalescing with Fianna Fáil.
In a statement hours after last night's the broadcast, Mr Kenny said: "It is astonishing that the Taoiseach considers health and education to be peripheral issues. The Taoiseach needs to cop on and realise the pressures facing many families in Ireland today.
"If you can't recognise a problem you can't solve it.
"Thursday's election will be an opportunity to move aside a Government that is out of touch and put in its place a Government of hope and change," Mr Kenny said.
But Minister for Social Affairs Seamus Brennan described the claim as "a classic piece of Fine Gael disinformation.
"Fianna Fáil has laid out proposals and funding to deal with these problems and is, for example, proposing substantially more additional funding for hospital beds and class size reductions than Fine Gael are," Mr Brennan said.
There are just two days left to voting, and despite positive poll findings, senior Fianna Fáil figures are cautious about the possibility of the existing coalition returning with both parties expected to lose seats.
They believe transfers will be crucial and that the formal pact between Fine Gael and Labour puts them at a disadvantage.
Mr Ahern will today visit Ballina, Monksland, Athlone and Ballinasloe. In Dublin, Fianna Fáil ministers Seamus Brennan, Dermot Ahern and Mary Hanafin will host a news briefing on plans for Ireland's future.
Mr Kenny will be touring the constituencies of Waterford, Cork East and Limerick West and is due to make a morning speech on the health services. Deputy leader, Richard Bruton, will head a media conference on the latest issues of the campaign.
Mr Rabbitte and transport spokeswoman Roisin Shortall will host the party's final press briefing of their campaign.
Progressive Democrats leader Michael McDowell and deputy leader Liz O'Donnell will deliver a key pre-election message on the Luas bridge in Dundrum.
Elsewhere, the Greens will hold a final news conference with deputy leader Mary White and director of elections John Gormley.
Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams and chairwoman Mary Lou McDonald will also hold the party's final pre-election briefing.