Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has claimed the IRA is calling the shots for Sinn Féin in the Republic.
Micheál Martin was speaking as he once again ruled out going into coalition with Gerry Adams' party after the next General Election.
He also cast doubt on a possible Coalition with Fine Gael - saying that the party is too "right-wing" to govern with Fianna Fáil.
Deputy Martin believes Sinn Fein is feeling the influence of the IRA, and that is evident in their policies here.
"I think it calls the shots for the party in the Republic, and...we're beginning to see that play out - both in terms of Northern politics and in terms of politics in the Republic," he said.
"For example, all of the issues around welfare reform in the North now, I think is partly because of the sense that the party doesn't want that thrown at them in the Republic in terms of the day to politics of the Republic."
Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams dismissed the comments, saying: "Well, you know Micheál is clearly preparing to be Taoiseach and this is part of that little process so we’ll leave him to that."
Deputy Martin also added his voice to speculation that a General Election could be on the cards in 2015.
After the current Coalition battled a series of controversies in 2014, Deputy Martin has doubts about whether they will see out their full term.
"I have a sense that it could be within the 2015," he said.
"I get a sense from the Government from its rhetoric that it's talking in an electoral mode.
"So when you hear talk of a Spring statement on the economy, when you talk of water charges being deferred until April, there's signs there that they're giving themselves options."