Ronnie Kasrils, the South African minister for intelligence who is visiting the North as a guest of Sinn Féin, said yesterday he was shocked to hear that the Taoiseach has been talking about reclaiming republicanism from those who have "debased" and "abused" it - meaning Sinn Féin and the IRA.
It was "a most unfortunate statement," he said.
Last evening, Mr Kasrils met the Northern Secretary Peter Hain, a former anti-apartheid activist, before attending a "strategies for freedom" rally in the Hilton Hotel, Belfast with Martin McGuinness.
The DUP yesterday declined Sinn Féin's invitation for Mr Kasrils to meet the Rev Ian Paisley.
Tonight, Mr Kasrils will address republicans at a rally in Moy, Co Tyrone. He will also attend a hunger strike commemoration in Derry with Gerry Adams who is just back from a visit to South Africa.
"I could never accept that Sinn Féin has debased republicanism," said Mr Kasrils. "They carried the flag of republicanism in the most difficult of times. We respect the Irish Government, but I would say that is sour grapes, and a sign they are feeling the pressure, with the growing popularity of Sinn Féin. The Irish struggle is a particularly heroic one."
Mr Kasrils, a former deputy minister for defence, is on the ANC's executive, and is a member of the South African Communist Party. He said he was proud of his "military service".
He believed in the need for a process of truth and reconciliation as had occurred in South Africa. He had taken part in the process. "We detonated a car bomb in front of the headquarters of the air force in Pretoria - 30 people died and 300 were injured. As part of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, I met an air force officer who was blinded during that attack.
"It was the most moving experience for me. He came to see why we had done it, and he has now dedicated himself to spreading understanding about the conflict and its resolution."
Mr Kasrils said he was optimistic about the peace process: "There is more to divide people in South Africa than here. The Irish situation is not intractable."