A speech on the Belfast Agreement made by Mr Gerry Adams in New York was strongly criticised by Mr Dick Spring.
Mr Spring, Labour's spokesman on foreign affairs, said that the Sinn Fein president was effectively stating that the party did not accept the principles of consent and self-determination as established in the Belfast Agreement.
"I would be very concerned if there is not a strong message from the Government to Sinn Fein. Ninety-five per cent of the people in the Republic supported the agreement; 71 per cent in Northern Ireland," he added.
"It is one thing to be selective about parts of it we like and dislike. There were hard decisions for everybody. Quite fundamentally, we are trying to ensure that we remove violence from politics on this island. I think we should have clarification that there is non-violent support for the agreement today, tomorrow and forever."
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Andrews, said he supported Mr Spring's views. "I think the agreement is there for all to see. It was negotiated over a long period of time. There were many participants in it," he added.
"It is set out in very clear language and the totality of the agreement must be taken together. The words in it have their meaning. Consent means what it says. The questions of decommissioning and prisoners are set out and writ large in the agreement. You cannot nitpick or misinterpret. Those who misinterpret do so at their own peril and indeed at the peril of what we all seek to achieve. "
Mr Spring also raised Rule 21 of the GAA prohibiting members of the security forces in the North from membership. He said that while it was primarily a matter for the GAA itself it was necessary to give political leadership.