The Tánaiste has said Sinn Féin are more interested in looking after their Republican friends than building a good Republic.

Joan Burton has launched a scathing attack at opposition parties at the Labour party national conference in Mullingar.

She has said her party has a fight on their hands in the next few weeks but she is relishing it.

Addressing delegates, Joan Burton has said voters need to be reminded of the choice they have to make: “Fianna Fáil nearly bankrupted the country and they are now totally bankrupt of ideas.

“Sinn Féin are more concerned about protecting their good Republican friends than actually building a good republic.”