The Tánaiste has responded to the Taoiseach's 'whingers' comment

She has also asked voters to “think twice” before casting their ballots to ensure a stable government is elected.

This morning Ms Bruton pointed out that unlike other politicians and political parties she does “open walkabouts” and does not just speak to members of her own party while out on the canvass.

She said: “I welcome people putting their views; I do open walkabouts, you [the media] have come with me to various constituency visits with open mics. I don’t do kind of thing where I am only talking to the people in the Labour party.

“All I can say we need to hear the diversity of voices because we need to make more progress in this country.”

Taosieach Enda Kenny has previously been criticised for only meeting members of his own party while out on the campaign and for being under the tight control of his handlers.

Mr Kenny made comments over the weekend in which he described some people in his own locality as "whingers" adding that they "wouldn't know sunshine if they saw it".

It was later claimed that he had been referring to members of Fianna Fáil who have remained critical despite investment in the locality.

Ms Burton said: “I don’t agree with that , I meet people all of the time every day on the campaign and I'm absolutely aware that while people recognise that the government has made progress, a lot of the progress is not sufficient for it to be transformative in terms of people’s lives .

“Particularly if you are in rural Ireland, I think people want to see the recovery spreading out to rural Ireland.

“It’s not a term I would use, but I think the important thing is that the Taoiseach has heard that people have issues and difficulties and an analysis which is not exactly the same as his.”