Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said he believes Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald is a "good person " but slammed her party accusing them of "making crazy promises".
The Taoiseach said that he believes that there are good people in Sinn Fein including Mary Lou McDonald and Northern Ireland deputy first minister Michelle O'Neill.
But the Taoiseach added that while he has no problem with McDonald and O'Neill he said: "I do have a big problem with Sinn Féin as a party”.
Varadkar accused Sinn Fein of being "soft on crime" which he says was evidenced by Ms McDonald's response to questions regarding the party's stance on the Special Criminal Court.
During an interview with Virgin Media News the Taoiseach said that he has "never been as worried about our country" since the economic crash in 2007.
The Taoiseach admitted that he wasn't sure if he would do anything differently during the election campaign and defended the government's dismal record on housing and health.
When asked about Fine Gael TD Kate O'Connell's comments slamming the conditions at Crumlin Children's Hospital the Taoiseach said it shows the need for the new children's hospital which he denies is the most expensive hospital in the world.
And when asked about the homeless crisis Mr Varadkar said: "I feel terrible about it of course. That's how I feel when I see anyone in distress" adding "we're all shamed by homelessness."
Varadkar also appeared to defend former Cork TD Dara Murphy who came under intense scrutiny for claiming expenses in the Dáil while also working in Brussels.
The Taoiseach defended Murphy who has taken up a new position in Europe by saying that he was present in the Dail for over 100 days and claimed that Murphy was present for more votes in the Dail than himself or Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin.
He added that he had met Mr Murphy on the issue and said that he should go before an ethics committee.
Mr Varadkar also denied claims that Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy and Health Minister Simon Harris were largely "invisible" during the current election campaign but added that "absolutely nobody other than the Tanaiste (Simon Coveney) is guaranteed a place in the cabinet" should Fine Gael get into power.
