Sinn Féin and Fianna Fáil have rejected suggestions they are ready to go into coalition with each other following the next general election, with both parties strongly criticising the other.

Fianna Fáil parliamentary party chairman Brendan Smith said such a Coalition had been ruled out by a recent vote of party TDs and senators.

He also accused Sinn Féin of being “anti-jobs” and “anti-democratic”. In turn, Sinn Féin called Fianna Fáil “toxic”.

Mr Smith, a TD for Cavan-Monaghan, said “the view of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party is settled on the issue of Sinn Féin”.

“At a meeting of elected representatives last July we agreed that the economic platform and the behaviour of that organisation ruled them out as potential partners for the Fianna Fáil party,” Mr Smith said.

“Fianna Fáil is a proudly pro-jobs, pro-enterprise, pro-opportunity party that has always worked to develop social cohesion and progress.

“Sinn Féin’s track record and stated policy objectives flatly contradict all those basic tenets. In addition, the behaviour of the party as it sought to cover-up the sexual abuse crisis within its own ranks and its increasingly anti-democratic agenda within Dáil Éireann all confirm the judgement of the parliamentary party when it ruled out Sinn Féin as a potential partner.”

Sinn Féin TD Peadar Tóibín described Fianna Fáil as a “toxic brand with toxic policies”. “Citizens recognise their record of failure on water charges, housing, public services and the economy and view them as increasingly irrelevant,” the Meath deputy added.

“It is clear that the people want real change; they want a break from the failed politics of the past and want to end the unfair household tax and water charges.

"Sinn Féin will put our vision of a united, fair, prosperous and progressive Ireland to the people north and south. It is on that basis that we hope to win support and lead a government of real change."