The Tánaiste. Joan BUrton, is questioning if Sinn Féin are breaking the Stormont House Agreement as a distraction from fresh I.R.A. sex abuse claims.

Tonight the BBC spotlight programme will broadcast an interview with County Louth man Paudie McGahon, who alleges he was raped by an I.R.A. man when he was 17, and faced a kangaroo court.

Earlier the Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin accused Sinn Féin of withdrawing support for welfare reform legislation at Stormont as a distraction tactic.

Ms Burton has told reporters she too thinks this could be the reason behind Sinn Féin's backtrack on the Stormont House Agreement

Both the British and Irish governments have expressed concern over the latest crisis in the Northern Ireland Assembly, after Sinn Féin suddenly withdrew its support for welfare reform.

Sinn Féin and the Democratic Unionist Party, partners in the executive, have accused each other of bad faith.

Moving to block the bill, Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness accused the DUP of reneging on commitments.

"This package protects children with disabilities, adults with severe disabilities, the long-term sick and children in large families. We have been clear that the enactment of these protections is a red line issue for Sinn Féin," he said.

"However, the DUP have acted in bad faith and are now reneging on their commitments to protect the most vulnerable. It is their intention to provide only partial protection to current recipients of benefit and no protection whatsoever for future claimants," he added.

Mr McGuinness called the move "totally unacceptable", claiming that the DUP have attempted to effect Tory welfare cuts "by subterfuge."

DUP leader Peter Robinson said that was "dishonourable and ham-fisted".

A spokesman for British Prime Minister David Cameron said he found the development "deeply concerning".

Foreign affairs minister Charlie Flanagan called on the Northern parties to work together to find a solution to the current difficulties on welfare.