The Labour Party has defended a controversial "attack advert" depicting Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin and Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams as the newlyweds in a same-sex marriage.

Both Opposition parties yesterday condemned the advertisement as juvenile and crude, and an insult to the dignity of same-sex marriage.

The advert has not yet been formally approved by the party and has not been released. It is a mock-up or “scamp”, prepared as a possible attack advert for use during the general election campaign.

In the Photoshopped picture, Mr Martin and Mr Adams are portrayed in morning suits. The "wedding party" also includes left-wing TDs Richard Boyd-Barrett, Paul Murphy, Mick Wallace and Clare Daly.

Its message highlights Labour’s support for same-sex marriage but says this is one “marriage” of which it does not approve.

Panic

A spokeswoman for Fianna Fáil condemned the advert and said the Labour Party had form when it came to adverts developed in a panic.

“We saw it in the last election when they plastered the country with their ‘Every Little Hurts’ campaign.  Famously, everything they said in that advert was a lie,” she said.

“This time around, they continue to be completely dishonest, but also manage to offend the principle of marriage equality with a crude and stupid image.”

Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams said the advert had devalued marriage equality. "I can only assume that the strategists who gave us Labour's infamous Tesco ad in 2011 have presented this latest juvenile offering."

‘Bereft of policy’

“It shows how bereft of genuine policy and constructive ideas the Labour Party now is.

“It is clear that Joan Burton’s party is getting increasingly desperate as a general election approaches and the verdict of the electorate on their disastrous performance in Government beckons.”

A Labour spokesman said the advert was one of a number that had been mocked up but none had reached approval stage. He said it was leaked to a Sunday newspaper and had not been published by the party.

Labour Minister of State with responsibility for Equality Aodhán Ó Riordáin was also unapologetic. He said the central point of the message was that the only alternative presenting itself was a combination of Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin.

“The message of the advert rings true. We supported marriage equality. It’s a Government that has done well and delivered economic recovery.

“The alternative bedfellows are Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin. They are completely valueless and put their own priorities above anything else.”