Leo Varadkar said questions around Sinn Féin funding was one of the main reasons for not having talks with the party’s leader Mary Lou McDonald. Photo: Gareth Chaney, Collins

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has called for an investigation into Sinn Féin's finances, claiming some of its politicians "appear to live way beyond their means".

Mr Varadkar said the questions surrounding Sinn Féin's political funding were one of the main reasons he would not engage in government formation talks with the party's leader, Mary Lou McDonald.

Writing in the 'Sunday Independent', he said: "Sinn Féin public representatives claim to earn only the average industrial wage, yet their salaries are not returned to taxpayers or donated to the party."

"Many appear to live way beyond their means," he added, before calling for an investigation into their finances.

Mr Varadkar's intervention comes as Sinn Féin continues to surge in the opinion polls.

Ms McDonald's party is up a massive 10 points to 35pc, with Fianna Fáil (20pc) and Fine Gael (18pc) both trailing behind them.

The 'Sunday Times'/Behaviour and Attitudes opinion poll also has Ms McDonald as the country's most popular political leader. Her personal satisfaction rating is up 13pc to 53pc, while Mr Varadkar (27pc) and Micheál Martin (31pc) have both dropped points.

Yesterday, Mr Varadkar insisted there were "fundamental differences" between Fine Gael and Sinn Féin that would make the two parties "incompatible" in government.

He accused Sinn Féin of failing to embrace "constitutional democracy" and refusing to recognise Ireland as a "legitimate sovereign state".

And he said Sinn Féin "operate differently" when it comes to political fundraising.

The acting Taoiseach said the party held "lavish" fundraising events in America and money was then "routed through Northern Ireland".

He also claimed that the party bought office space using "front companies" and said Sinn Féin MPs collected £4.5m from Westminster without taking their seats.

"These irregularities cause us real concern and deserve further scrutiny and a proper investigation. Sinn Féin owes it to all of us to clear up these matters once and for all," he added.

A Sinn Féin spokesperson said last night that Mr Varadkar's comments were a "disgrace" and beneath the office of the Taoiseach.

"These comments are completely fabricated and this is outrageous mud-slinging on the part of the caretaker Taoiseach who is clearly struggling to get to grips with the election results and this weekend's opinion poll," he said.

"These disgraceful and baseless comments discredit the office of Taoiseach and Leo Varadkar really should reflect on them."

In his newspaper article, Mr Varadkar also said Sinn Féin was responsible for a rise in online "hate speech".

"Every day, we see an online assault against anyone who dares question or criticise them," he said.

"Sometimes this is even aimed at people from other political parties, who have the temerity to post a positive message about their work."

"Most recently it manifested as racism, homophobia and anti-Semitism - the latter not even considered worthy of sanction of disciplinary action," Mr Varadkar added.

This was in reference to comments made by newly elected Sinn Féin TD Reada Cronin, who likened Israeli embassy staff to monkeys and said the country had taken "Nazism to a new level".

Sinn Féin councillor Paddy Holohan was criticised during the election campaign over comments he made about Mr Varadkar's family background and sexuality.

Mr Holohan said that he wanted a "family man" to be Taoiseach and added that Mr Varadkar's "blood obviously runs to India".

The Fine Gael leader accepted an apology from the former mixed martial arts fighter.

Mr Holohan was subsequently suspended from Sinn Féin for comments he made about young women.

Irish Independent