The government parties have stepped up attacks on Fianna Fáil on Day 11 of the general election campaign.

Enda Kenny and Joan Burton have attacked Micheál Martin, after the Fianna Fáil leader's strong performance in Monday's debate.

Mr Martin was widely hailed as the winner of the first leader's debate, and now the government parties have gone on the offensive against him.

The Tánaiste has said Mr Martin left the pitch when things got tough.

Ms Burton said: "He was actually, for 15 years, a member of the Fianna Fáil government. They drove the bus off the edge of the cliff.

"Micheál then of course walked away."

In response, the Fianna Fáil leader said the Coalition should focus on the issues.

Mr Martin said: "They are trying to use any distraction now from the core message that Fianna Fáil has been putting to the country about fairness and decency.

"In essence they've obviously switched to play the ball, not the man."

Taoiseach Enda Kenny says he never makes politics personal, but will attack party policy.

He said: "I am not doing business with Fianna Fáil, because they can't be trusted on the economy.

Sinn Féin's Mary Lou McDonald said Mr Kenny is not in a position to criticise anyone.

She said: "The Taoiseach talks a lot about chaos, but really the chaos that people are experiencing has been brought by him an this government."