The Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said he believes Irish people do not want a general election now.
He also accused Sinn Féin of 'exploiting problems for electoral gain', with the party set to table a motion of no confidence in the Government on Tuesday.
Mr Martin said any general election would also delay September's budget.
Sinn Féin is to table the motion in the Dáil one week after the coalition lost its majority.
Speaking in Ballymun earlier, Mr Martin said: "The Irish people do not want a general election right now.
"We're in the midst of a cost of living crisis, we have a war on the continent of Europe.
"Last week Sinn Féin were looking for a cost of living package and an emergency budget, this week they're looking for a general election.
"A general election would mean no budgetary package over the next while and would lead to paralysis.
"In my view it's just a cynical exercise, but again we are working to secure as much support as we possibly can in the Dáil this week."
He dubbed the motion of no confidence a 'cynical play'.
"I don't take anything for granted, and I respect people who support the Government at any time.
"A motion of confidence, at one level, is a cynical play by a party - Sinn Féin - that I think plays more to destructive politics.
"My approach is on the more constructive side of politics - we want to solve problems in terms of understanding the deep, underlying reasons for issues and challenges in society and in communities, and to come up with sustainable solutions to those.
"Whereas Sinn Féin is opportunistic [and] wants to exploit problems for electoral gain, and that is the fundamental difference that will be on display this week in the House."
And he said he is confident the Government will win the motion.
"I am confident because I do believe a majority of TDs believe in getting things done, constructively dealing with challenges and problems and primarily dealing with the cost of living.
"And ensuring that we have a budget at the end of September: there would be a real doubt over a budget at the end of September if there was to be a general election in the next number of weeks".
Additional reporting: Aoife Kearns
