The Tánaiste and Labour leader has tonight launched a stinging attack on Sinn Féin accusing the party of trying to hijack the history of the country.

Joan Burton says Sinn Féin are trying to explain away the IRA's campaign of sectarian violence.

Deputy Burton tonight addressed a private party meeting in Cork around the launch of Labour's Munster 1916 exhibition.

The Tánaiste says the ideals of Republicanism do not belong to any one party, but accuses some of wanting to rewrite history for their own ends.

She says we have already seen efforts by Sinn Féin to appropriate the events of the revolutionary period, and she expects we will see more of it.

But she says this is a deliberate distortion of history, adding Sinn Féin had precious little to do with the events of 1916.

Joan Burton says, "they are seeking to hijack the history of the country so as to explain away the IRA’s campaign of sectarian violence and the subsequent criminality it spawned".

She claims that many in Sinn Féin cannot even bring themselves to use the name of the State - the Republic of Ireland - adding it is part self delusion, part hypocrisy.

"It tells you a great deal about the risk Sinn Féin could pose to this State should they ever get into government," she adds.

Calling the next general election 'a crucial moment' in Ireland's future development, the Tánaiste finishes her speech saying, "the choice will be very clear: between a Government driving recovery and renewal, or the risk of an incoherent opposition returning us to ruin.

"Labour will realise our country’s potential – an Ireland better for all. That would be a truly fitting way to build on the Commemorations and the 1916 legacy".

Meanwhile Sinn Féin have hit back at the Government, saying that their policy of 'austerity on steroids' has forced mass emigration on Irish people.

Sinn Féin TD Peadar Tóibín says that they have continued the policies of Fianna Fáil that have made Ireland the "best small country to emigrate from."

Deputy Tóibín has described the mass emigration of young people as a form of demographic vandalism: