Sinn Féin has pledged to hound Mr David Trimble over his description of the Republic as a "pathetic, sectarian state".
Education Minister Mr Martin McGuinness said he attempted to raise the issue at the first Executive meeting since the North's First Minister made his remarks. Although he failed to have it put on the agenda, he said: "This is an issue which will have to be resolved and it is an issue we are not prepared to let go."
Mr McGuinness accused Mr Trimble of "trying to out-Paisley Ian Paisley in the run-up to the next election".
The First Minister had also criticised Mr McGuinness and Sinn Féin Health Minister Ms Bairbre de Brun in his speech. Mr McGuinness refused to go into detail about discussions at yesterday's Executive meeting but he described the exchanges as direct. "I want David Trimble to act like the First Minister and stop interfering in the work of other departments."
Meanwhile, Ms de Brun faced criticism yesterday after it was disclosed millions of pounds given to her department were unspent.
SDLP Finance Minister Mr Sean Farren told the Assembly that £23.9 million was returned to the Executive because winter pressures on hospitals were not as severe as expected. Assembly members from across the political divide said patients on Europe's longest waiting lists would be stunned Ms de Brun had not used the money on the NHS crisis.
The director of finance at the Health Department, Mr Andrew Hamilton, said the money was not the result of underspending. The £23.9 million was part of the money set aside to meet the financial requirements of the health boards and trusts. "It is purely a result of the improved financial performance of the trusts. This means there is a higher level of resource available to meet dividend and interest payments."