Labour has accused the Government of political opportunism in its decision to hold the state funeral of War of Independence volunteers on the weekend of the Fianna Fail Ard Fheis.
Labour leader, Mr Ruairi Quinn TD, said the Government displayed a 'distasteful piece of political opportunism' by coinciding the state funeral of Mr Kevin Barry and nine other volunteers executed during the War of Independence with the party Ard Fheis.
Describing the timing as "entirely unacceptable", Mr Quinn said: "This is hardly a coincidence, especially within months of a general election, and I wonder if the families concerned were made aware that the Fianna Fail Ard Fheis would also be taking place on this particular weekend."
He also asked if the Progressive Democrats gave their consent to the timing of the funeral.
He said the Labour Party had not been consulted in decision, and would have objected if they had.
He called on the Taoiseach, Mr Bertie Ahern to show he wants this to be a state rather than a party political occasion by changing the proposed date.