Sinn Féin president, Mr Gerry Adams, has hit out at politicians in the Republic for demonising republicans in Belfast.
Gerry Adams
Speaking at a commemoration ceremony in south Armagh, Mr Adams said he would not accept being lectured by the Dublin Government on the patriotic duties of Sinn Féin.
"We will not allow politicians, especially those who are glorying in the current difficulties to criminalise those who support us or, more importantly, to set the political agenda," he added.
He said republicans would face hard choices as they push ahead with their political plans and attempt to achieve a united Ireland.
At the commemoration for two IRA members Brendan Burns and Brendan Moley, Mr Adams stressed that his party rejected criminality and believed no republican worthy of the name could be involved in criminal acts.
In a reference to recent strained relations with the Taoiseach and the Minister for Jusice, Mr McDowell, he said: "The republican people of Belfast do not need Irish Government ministers to lecture us on our patriotic duties.
"Nor should they or others in a political establishment in Dublin demonise the good people of the Markets and the Short Strand."
As a rally organised by the family of murdered Belfast man Robert McCartney is got under way in Short Strand, Mr Adams told republicans the murder had "shocked hundreds of thousands of republicans throughout Ireland and we are united in our call for anyone with information about the killing to come forward."
"I want to send my support to the rally which is taking place in the Short Strand this afternoon and which is being attended by Sinn Féin leaders in the city.
"Sinn Féin fully supports the family of Robert McCartney in their demand for justice and truth. I have met the family and I remain in contact with them." The IRA has expelled three of its members over the killing.
Mr Adams said Sinn Féin was "totally and absolutely committed" to bringing the peace process to a successful conclusion.
"We are also committed to bringing about Irish unity and independence and to representing all those who vote for us."
The Sinn Féin president said his colleague in the Dail, Mr Caoimhghin Ocaolain spoke for republicans across Ireland when he said his party rejected criminality of any kind.
He repeated Mr Ocaolain's comment that: "There is no room in Sinn Fein for other than a clear and unambiguous commitment to democratic politics and the pursuit of our goals by legal and peaceful means."
Mr Adams said republicans had demonstrated their capacity to take great risks to achieve the greatest change. And he added: "Inevitably that will mean more hard choices, more hard decisions for Irish republicans as we push ahead with our political project and as we seek to achieve a united Ireland.
"We are up for the challenge today. We are determined to see all the guns taken out of Irish politics and to be part of the collective effort that will create the conditions where the IRA ceases to exist.
"We are determined that the issues of policing, demilitarisation, human rights and equality are dealt with. But republicans cannot make peace on our own."