Simon Coveney was yesterday slammed by Fianna Fail for not coming clean on Brexit preparations.
The charge came as emergency planning for a crash out on October 31 was discussed at Cabinet.
The Tanaiste said he did not believe any checks needed would be “near” the border.
However, this seemed to contradict a statement by the Taoiseach just over a week ago.
In Leinster House, Brexit fears and the beef crisis dominated proceedings on the first day back after an eight-week break.
Fianna Fail spokeswoman Lisa Chambers accused the Government of being completely unprepared with less than seven weeks to go. She said the fact Mr Coveney was discussing a no-deal exit at Cabinet showed how vulnerable the country remained.
Ms Chambers added: “I’m quite shocked and dismayed to be hearing that only today the Tanaiste is asking his ministers for 24-hour plans for November 1.
“That means that, as of right now, the Government has no plan for November 1 if the worst does happen.
“It’s incredible to think at this stage the Government themselves don’t know what Plan B is going to be.
“I’ve listened to Joe Healy of the IFA and other farmers openly say they’ve asked questions around border checks.
“They’ve no idea, in six weeks’ time, what the situation is going to be for traders and farmers who regularly cross the border, some of them numerous times per day.
“And this suggestion you’re not wearing the green jersey or you’re undermining the State’s position because you’ve asked these questions, I think that argument is defunct.
“We need details and answers from the Government. What is Plan B?”
A Government spokesman said talks for no-deal planning were ongoing but denied specific “24-hour plans” for November 1 had been requested by Mr Coveney at Cabinet yesterday.
Meanwhile, the beef crisis took centre stage during Leaders’ Questions with concerns raised by Fianna Fail chief Micheal Martin and Sinn Fein’s Mary Lou McDonald.
In response, Leo Varadkar said: “I acknowledge the extraordinarily difficult times farmers are facing.
“For more than a year prices paid to beef farmers at the factory gate have been very low at approximately €3.50 per kilogram, which is less than the cost of production. Many are at their wits’ end.
“There are many reasons prices are low. Consumption and demand are flat, production is up and sterling is weak.
“The price Irish farmers get, however, is roughly the European average. It is set by the market, not by Government or by anyone in this House.
“The average price is roughly the same across Europe and it is lower outside Europe.
“Commodity prices often work that way because they are set by the market as a function of supply and demand.
“However, that price is too low. It is well below the cost of production for farmers and that is the underlying problem that has given rise to this dispute and these difficulties.”
