Fine Gael's front bench has warned it is only half-time when it comes to Brexit, as part of the party's re-election pitch.
Parties across the political divide have been launching their campaigns on Wednesday on the first full day of campaigning.
The Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is canvassing in Cavan while Fianna Fáil, Labour and The Greens all held launches in Dublin.
Mr Varadkar and his ministers had one clear message when addressing the media earlier.
I THINK the Fine Gael front bench had a line rehearsed when it comes to #Brexit #HalfTime #GE2020 pic.twitter.com/4DDlP9BW5v
— Seán Defoe (@SeanDefoe) January 15, 2020
Mr Varadkar asked why Fianna Fáil MEP Billy Kelleher said he may vote against the Brexit withdrawal deal.
"It demonstrates to me that Fianna Fáil can't be trusted on the big issue of Brexit, and also that Fianna Fáil once again is internally divided on a crucial issue".
In response, Fianna Fail leader Micheál Martin said: "Any legislation going through parliament deserves scrutiny - I don't think anyone can say that people should just pass things on the nod.
"But he will be voting for the withdrawal treaty".
Meanwhile Mr Martin said he does not believe the Dáil voting controversy will damage the party in the polls.
In October, it was revealed that Deputy Niall Collins had voted six times on behalf of Deputy Timmy Dooley while he was not in the Dáil chamber.
As a result they were asked to step down from the party's frontbench.
But Mr Martin said so-called 'votegate' does not appear to be concerning his constituents.
"It's not an issue that's coming up in the doorsteps - issues of this campaign that seem to be determining people's thinking, and the sense of 'there is a need for change', is actually the housing and health and public services issue".
Micheál Martin has urged Fine Gael to stop the “silly attacks” after it was claimed they were untrustworthy on Brexit. pic.twitter.com/v0LiA0Enip
— Kacey O'Riordan (@KaceyORiordan) January 15, 2020
And Labour's Kevin Humphreys said the Government has wasted opportunities for housing on the Poolbeg bottle site in Dublin.
Permission was granted for 3,500 homes on the site of the glass bottle plant in April - with one-quarter to be social and affordable.
The land is held by NAMA with a preferred developer expected to be announced in March.
But Senator Humphreys, who is running in the election in Dublin Bay South, said people in the are frustrated.
"They've wasted opportunities and four years of wasted opportunities while the homeless list grows, while people are living in overcrowded facilities.
"And the frustration when they come down here for a walk and look at this site - that they have been promised social and affordable homes - going to waste".
Labour leader @BrendanHowlin and @KHumphreysDBS launch the @labour election campaign.
Housing, trolley crisis and possible coalitions the main topics of discussion in Sandymount.#GE2020 pic.twitter.com/zWCO3ZBn50
— Seán O'Regan (@SeanOR95) January 15, 2020
