The Progressive Democrats have hit out at recent criticism of the party in wake of the controversy surrounding Bertie Ahern's financial affairs, claiming " Opposition parties were involved in grave ethical lapses" while in government.
In a move to shift the critical spotlight off the coalition and in particular his party's handling of it, TD Tim O'Malley said this evening those parties who are "loudest in condemning recent lapses" should check their own ethical records.
In a statement, Mr O'Malley highlighted several instances in which he claimed Fine Gael and Labour accepted money from businessmen while in office.
Mr O'Malley said his party has never described itself as watchdogs over the standards of other political parties but "have worked since its foundation to follow basic and self-evident standards of political ethics".
"We do believe, as does the Irish electorate, that coalition government serves the country better in terms of accountability and transparency."
"At the last election we sought a mandate to prevent a reversion to single-party government and we intend to stand by that mandate.
"We do not intend to be goaded or lectured by politicians whose record includes the lapses mentioned above into reneging on that commitment to deliver two-party government," he said.